Florida Trend articles from October 2007

Florida Trend archives from October 2007

Impulse buy in aisle 5.
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] What kind of grocery shopper are you--buzz-activated, variety-activated, bargain-activated or simply autopilot? Find out how grocers analyze you and try to manipulate your mood. Also, read about Publix's attempts to...

Boom state.
October 1, 2007... How did Florida grow from a sleepy Southern state at the end of World War II to a diverse megastate? Watch a trailer for the PBS documentary "The Florida Dream" airing Oct. 18 at 9 p.m.

The N.C. draw.
October 1, 2007... A large number of North Carolina's new residents are ex-Floridians. A detailed map tracks the Tarheel State's in-migration.

Wright's designs.
October 1, 2007... Reporter Amy Keller narrates a slideshow highlighting builders who are using Frank Lloyd Wright's designs to restore older structures. Also, take a photo tour of Florida Southern College's architecture. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Knowing the territory.(Corner Office)(Travel narrative)
October 1, 2007... When you're in an unfamiliar place, it's good to have someone who knows the territory to help you get around. I travel frequently all across the state, and I know my way around lots of places. But sometimes it's just more efficient to hire a...

Going native.(Executive Lifestyles: Outdoor Living)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Stetson University President H. Douglas Lee and his wife, Margaret, are getting used to the new view from their historic home's back porch in DeLand. They recently witnessed the completion of final touches on a Florida native plant garden that...

Wet and wild.(Executive Lifestyles: Outdoor Living)(Bluworld)(Company overview)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Started in 1998 by brothers Sean Drummond and Jimi Beach, Bluworld has grown into one of the largest design-build-install commercial and residential water-features companies in the country. The Orlando company...

Furnishing the outdoors.(Executive Lifestyles: Outdoor Living)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Yedra Polaris World Garden Furniture, an outdoor furniture and accessories company from Spain, is opening its first U.S. store in Miami Gardens this fall. Yedra offers both classic and contemporary designs, as well...

Light side.(Executive Lifestyles: Outdoor Living)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Tom Rensenhouse, owner of Orlando-based Lightstyle, made a name for himself as a visionary lighting expert with successful lighting showrooms in Kansas and Missouri before expanding to Florida in 2000. The company,...

Pooling resources.(NEW WEBSITE)
October 1, 2007... A new, free website called FreePoolQuotes.com matches customers with pool builders in their area. Select the area where you live, answer questions relating to the type of in-ground pool you want and your budget. You can even apply for financing...

Cultural divide: outreach efforts aim to tackle taboos among some ethnic groups.(Executive Lifestyles: Health: Breast Cancer)
October 1, 2007... Jeanne P. Brotzky has spent much of her career touting the benefits of monthly breast self-exams, annual mammograms and early treatment. Some women, however, aren't getting the message--particularly Hispanic women in Miami-Dade County. As a...

Wings and a care: Hooters uses Kelly Jo Dowd as a springboard to raise awareness.(Executive Lifestyles: Health: Breast Cancer)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] From a marketing standpoint, it seemed a natural fit, but Hooters traditionally shied away from anything to do with breast cancer awareness or fund raising. "We were always a little reluctant to do it because of...

Growing collection.(Executive Lifestyles: Travel: Business and Leisure)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Resort at Singer Island, a new addition to Starwood's Luxury Collection that opened in April, is gearing up for its first high season just north of Palm Beach. The 21-story condo/hotel has 239 suites with one...

Travel gadget.(Executive Lifestyles: Travel: Business and Leisure)(SteriPen Traveler )(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SteriPen Traveler $129 Magellans.com Small enough to carry in a pocket, the device uses UV light to purify a 16-ounce glass of water in less than a minute. It can be used in restaurants, hotel rooms or on the...

Governor's Conference on Tourism.(TOURISM)(Conference news)
October 1, 2007... * During the Governor's Conference on Tourism in August at the Boca Raton Resort & Club, travel industry professionals got a sneak preview of "Shine," a TV advertising campaign promoting Florida. Visit Florida, the state's tourism marketing...

Bud Nocera.(TOURISM)
October 1, 2007... * Bud Nocera, president and CEO of Visit Florida, won national honors as the state tourism director of the year from the Travel Industry Association of America.

Palm Beach County Convention and Visitors Bureau.(TOURISM)
October 1, 2007... * Jorge Pesquera has been named president and COO of the Palm Beach County Convention and Visitors Bureau, replacing interim administrative director Jim Stuber. Pesquera formerly served as president and CEO of the Aruba Hotel and Tourism...

Kessler Collection.(HOTELS/RESORTS)
October 1, 2007... Orlando-based hotel chain Kessler Collection has opened its first European office in Vienna, Austria.

Ravallo Resort and Conference Center.(HOTELS/RESORTS)(Conference news)
October 1, 2007... * Ravallo Resort Development has unveiled plans for Ravallo Resort and Conference Center, a $300-million, 1.8 million-sq.-ft, condo/ hotel near the Orange County Convention Center.

The Peabody Hotel near the Orange County Convention Center is planning a 1.2-million-sq.-ft. expansion.(HOTELS/RESORTS)
October 1, 2007... * The Peabody Hotel near the Orange County Convention Center is planning a 1.2-million-sq.-ft. expansion, including a new 32-story tower.

Steakout.(Executive Lifestyles: Dining and Spirit)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Bourbon Steak (opening soon) Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club 19999 W. Country Club Drive, Miami 305/932-6200 fairmont.com/turnberryisle * Boizao Steakhouse 4606 Bog Scout Blvd., Tampa 813/286-7100...

Wine & spirits.(Executive Lifestyles: Dining and Spirit)
October 1, 2007... WHITE Mouton Cadet White Bordeaux 2004 France $8 Particularly good vintages lately from one of the best pedigree producers. This one is dry and crisp with melony flavors. RED 7 Deadly Zins--Zinfandel 2005 California $16...

Tolf's picks.(Executive Lifestyles: Dining and Spirit)(Ran-Getsu of Tokyo)(Texas De Brazil)(Laughing Cat)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... JACKSONVILLE bb's 1019 Hendricks Ave. 904/306-0100 Big-city setting with mod menu for all tastes--from designer pizzas and bruschetta to freshly assembled salads and nightly specials like chargrilled grey grouper and spinach...

Betty Castor.(Icon)(education commissioner)(Interview)
October 1, 2007... [Former education commissioner, University of South Florida president, lawmaker, teacher and current executive director of USF's Dr. Kiran C. Patel Center for Global Solutions, age 66] > After college, from 1963 to 1965, I taught secondary...

Solid foundation.(Trendsetters: Executive Women)
October 1, 2007... In 2001, a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida team studying the company's philanthropic future came up with the idea of forming a foundation to direct giving. Then-CEO Michael Cascone Jr. didn't have to look far for the new foundation's...

Bonds, bail bonds.(Trendsetters: Executive Women)(bail bondsman)(Accredited Holding Corporation)(Company overview)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Ah, those golden days of youth. Deborah Jallad well remembers her father, Hank Snow, taking her and his other four kids to work with him. "OK, kids, get in the station wagon. We're going down to the jail," he would...

Drawn to the business.(Trendsetters: Executive Women)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Every so often, Maria Hernandez admits, she misses architecture. Though she keeps her architect's license current, she traded design for development in 1994 when she joined Miami developer Codina Group. She spent...

Hostage goods: Florida gets tougher on movers who hold household goods for ransom.(MOVING COMPANIES)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Two years ago, Adam Heward and Meredith Montgomery hired National Movers and Storage of Hollywood to handle their move from Weston to Gainesville. The company gave the couple a quote over the internet and collected a...

Florida Economic Development Council.(Players)
October 1, 2007... Gene Gray, director of the Hillsborough County economic development department, was elected chairman of the Florida Economic Development Council.

Miami-Dade Expressway Authority.(Players)
October 1, 2007... Maritza Gutierrez has been elected chairwoman of the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority. Gutierrez, founder of Creative Ideas Advertising, is the first Hispanic woman to lead the authority.

Commerce Bancorp.(Players)
October 1, 2007... Commerce Bancorp has named Todd G. Caraway vice president and corporate trust business development officer. Caraway was a vice president in the private client banking and retail services division of Merrill Lynch.

National City Corp.(Players)
October 1, 2007... Mark Stevens has been named executive vice president and managing director for Florida at the private client group at National City Corp. Stevens was CEO of U.S. Trust's Southeast region.

Florida International University's Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame.(Players)
October 1, 2007... TransAtlantic Bank Chairman and CEO Miriam Lopez was inducted into Florida International University's Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame.

True or pants on fire?(POLITICS)(Times Publishing Co. (Saint Petersburg, Florida))(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... TRUE OR PANTS ON FIRE?--The St. Petersburg Times and sister publication Congressional Quarterly have introduced a new element into coverage of the presidential race--a website that scores the truthfulness of specific claims by the candidates....

'Disaster' relief.(FISHING)
October 1, 2007... 'DISASTER' RELIEF--Robert Spaeth, owner of Madeira Beach Seafood in Pinellas County and executive director of the Southern Offshore Fishing Association, is planning to seek a disaster declaration for Florida's shark fishing industry, which he...

New offices.(VENTURE CAPITAL)
October 1, 2007... NEW OFFICES--The Florida Venture Forum, a statewide support group for venture capitalists and entrepreneurs, has moved to new offices in the historic Hyde Park area of Tampa to accommodate the group's growth.

Deal or no deal.(BUYOUTS)
October 1, 2007... Merger and acquisition activity has been brisk in Miami-Dade County, with recent deals involving local financial service, healthcare, telecommunications and manufacturing companies. But the freefall in the housing market and turbulence in the...

BankAtlantic.(Players)
October 1, 2007... BankAtlantic hired Doug Freeman as chief corporate banking executive. Freeman was chairman and CEO of NetBank.

HCA.(Players)
October 1, 2007... HCA named Michael G. Joseph, former chief executive of University Hospital in Tamarac, president of its east Florida division.

FDC Vitamins.(Players)
October 1, 2007... Anthony Alfonso, former CEO of Nutri-Force, has been named CEO of FDC Vitamins following the merger of the two companies. Juan F. Rodriguez, formerly senior vice president and controller of Kos Pharmaceuticals, has been named COO of the new FDC...

University of Miami.(Players)
October 1, 2007... The University of Miami has named James M. Tien, a professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, clean of UM's College of Engineering. Tien replaces M. Lewis Temares.

Surgery Partners is buying the Gables Surgical Center from Orlando-based PainCare Holdings.(CORAL GABLES)
October 1, 2007... CORAL GABLES--Surgery Partners is buying the Gables Surgical Center from Orlando-based PainCare Holdings for $4.4 million.

Cargill International.(CORAL GABLES)
October 1, 2007... Cargill International plans to build an $11-million warehouse in Miami.

The merger agreement between Key Hospitality Acquisition and Cay Clubs International--a Florida Keys developer--has been restructured.(KEY LARGO)
October 1, 2007... The merger agreement between Key Hospitality Acquisition and Cay Clubs International--a Florida Keys developer--has been restructured, according to Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

American Express Bank International.(MIAMI)
October 1, 2007... American Express Bank International, based in Miami, will pay $65 million in penalties to the Federal Reserve and Financial Crimes Enforcement Network for violations of federal anti-money laundering regulations involving more than $500 million...

A group of lenders led by Spain-based Bancaja is providing a $172.5-million.(MIAMI)
October 1, 2007... A group of lenders led by Spain-based Bancaja is providing a $172.5-million construction loan to developer Rilea Group for a 35-story building on Brickell Avenue.

A Miami-Dade Circuit Court jury has ordered BDO Seidman--one of the largest accounting firms in the U.S.(MIAMI)
October 1, 2007... A Miami-Dade Circuit Court jury has ordered BDO Seidman--one of the largest accounting firms in the U.S., to pay $522 million in punitive and compensatory damages to Portugal's Banco Espirito Santo for negligent audits of E.S. Bankest, a...

FDC Vitamins, owned by Miami-based MBF Healthcare Partners.(MIAMI)
October 1, 2007... FDC Vitamins, owned by Miami-based MBF Healthcare Partners, has merged with Nutri-Force Nutrition, also of Miami.

Hoodiny Entertainment Group.(MIAMI)
October 1, 2007... Hoodiny Entertainment Group, a Miami-based digital entertainment company and parent of elHood.com, has raised more than $9 million through a private placement of securities.

Perry Ellis International.(MIAMI)
October 1, 2007... Miami-based apparel company Perry Ellis International (Nasdaq-PERY) is on the lookout for acquisitions, company executives told Wall Street analysts.

The 3rd District Court of Appeal reversed the city's 2004 rezoning of waterfront industrial land.(MIAMI)
October 1, 2007... The 3rd District Court of Appeal reversed the city's 2004 rezoning of waterfront industrial land, which would have allowed development of a 1,073-unit condo on land now used as a boat yard.

Vector Group.(MIAMI)
October 1, 2007... Vector Group (NYSE-VGR), the Miami-based parent of Liggett Group, Vector Tobacco and New Valley, has completed a private placement of $165 million in 11% senior secured notes due in 2015.

The U.S. Attorney's Office has charged Rita Campos Ramirez, owner of Miami-based R and I Medical Billing.(MIAMI)
October 1, 2007... The U.S. Attorney's Office has charged Rita Campos Ramirez, owner of Miami-based R and I Medical Billing, with submitting $170 million worth of fraudulent bills to the Medicare program.

NCL Corp.(MIAMI)
October 1, 2007... Private equity group Apollo Management is investing $1 billion in Miami-based NCL Corp., parent company of Norwegian Cruise Line and NCL America.

University of Miami.(MIAMI)
October 1, 2007... The University of Miami announced that the school's football team will move from the Orange Bowl to Dolphin Stadium for the 2008 season.

Setting aside set-asides.(HIRING PRACTICES)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Broward County has become the second south Florida county to suspend its affirmative action program. The move comes in the wake of a reverse-discrimination lawsuit the Associated General Contractors of America filed...

Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce.(Players)
October 1, 2007... Casey Steinbacher has resigned as president and CEO of the North Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce to become president of the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce in North Carolina.

First Southern Bank.(Players)
October 1, 2007... Boca Raton-based First Southern Bank has appointed Franklin Burnside CEO. Burnside has been a First Southern board member since 2005. He succeeds Peter Mottek, who will take a job with a financial company.

Migrating minorities.(POPULATION)
October 1, 2007... South Florida's minorities are migrating north. While Miami's younger minority population has trended downward since 2000, Fort Lauderdale's is rapidly rising, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. West Palm Beach is also seeing gains. *...

Sun Capital Partners has acquired the Boston Market restaurant chain from McDonald's.(BOCA RATON)
October 1, 2007... BOCA RATON--Sun Capital Partners has acquired the Boston Market restaurant chain from McDonald's for an undisclosed sum.

First NLC Financial Services.(BOCA RATON)
October 1, 2007... Subprime lender First NLC Financial Services is laying off 323 at its headquarters.

American Media.(BOCA RATON)
October 1, 2007... American Media ceased publishing the Weekly World News, a 28-year-old tabloid. American Media cited changes in the magazine marketplace. The company also publishes the National Enquirer, Star, Fitness and Shape.

Ken Jenne.(BROWARD COUNTY)
October 1, 2007... BROWARD COUNTY--Ken Jenne resigned as sheriff after pleading guilty to tax evasion and fraud charges, ending a 35-year career in public life. Jenne, a former state senator and political and legal powerhouse, faces sentencing in November. Albert...

Broward County Tourism Development Council.(FORT LAUDERDALE)
October 1, 2007... FORT LAUDERDALE--Broward County commissioners removed Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle from the Broward County Tourism Development Council after Naugle questioned the city's focus on gay tourism, commenting that the city has a problem with gay...

World Avenue U.S.A.(FORT LAUDERDALE)
October 1, 2007... The Attorney General's Office has sued online marketer World Avenue U.S.A., charging that the company deceived customers by touting free gifts or prizes that actually required a purchase ["Ji, Whiz," November 2006, FloridaTrend.com].

Allegiant Air.(FORT LAUDERDALE)
October 1, 2007... Las Vegas-based Allegiant Air is establishing a base at the Fort Lauclerdale/ Hollywood International Airport this fall. The low-cost carrier will offer non-stop flights from 12 markets in the Northeast, Midwest and Southeast.

Citrix Systems.(FORT LAUDERDALE)
October 1, 2007... Citrix Systems is buying XenSource, a software company that makestechnology to allow computers to run operating systems from several vendors, in a $500-million cash and stock deal.

Levitt Corp.(FORT LAUDERDALE)
October 1, 2007... BFC Financial Corp. has terminated its merger agreement with home builder Levitt Corp. BFC made the decision a few days after Levitt announced a $58.1-million second-quarter loss. Levitt plans to proceed with a $200-million common stock rights...

CBSSportsLine.com.(FORT LAUDERDALE)
October 1, 2007... CBSSportsLine.com changed its name to CBSSports.com. The CBS Interactive division aims to bring more integration with CBS Sports.

Ben Gamla Charter School.(HOLLYWOOD)
October 1, 2007... The Broward County School Board reversed an earlier decision and is allowing the Ben Gamla Charter School to continue teaching Hebrew. The board had ordered the school to suspend Hebrew lessons because the curriculum included a website...

FBI.(PALM BEACH COUNTY)(United States. Federal Bureau of Investigation)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... PALM BEACH COUNTY -- The FBI is setting up a full-time office in response to a rash of criminal cases that brought its agents to the county. The bureau will focus on corruption among elected officials. The announcement came on the heels of...

Palm Beach County Commission.(PALM BEACH COUNTY)
October 1, 2007... Gov. Charlie Crist appointed Republican Bob Kanjian to replace Warren Newell on the Palm Beach County Commission. Kanjian owns Solutions, a West Palm Beach real estate and title company.

The University of Florida selected Florida Crystal's Okeelanta facility in the southwestern part of the county for its ethanol plant.(PALM BEACH COUNTY)
October 1, 2007... The University of Florida selected Florida Crystal's Okeelanta facility in the southwestern part of the county for its ethanol plant. The pilot plant will make ethanol from sugar cane waste.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line.(PORT EVERGLADES)
October 1, 2007... PORT EVERGLADES--The Broward County Commission gave Port Everglades officials the green light to negotiate a deal with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines to woo the world's two largest cruise ships to Fort Lauderdale. The Genesis Project ships will...

The Alfred E. Mann Foundation.(PORT ST. LUCIE)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... County leaders are trying to lure a second California-based research institute to the southwest corner of the city. Officials are hoping to attract The Alfred E. Mann Foundation, a biomedical non-profit from Santa Clara, Calif. The foundation...

Ecosphere Technologies.(STUART)
October 1, 2007... Ecosphere Technologies signed a letter of intent to sell $8 million of patents and environmental marine robotic technology. The clean air and water technology company will own 5% of a new marine coating removal company that will be created...

Hollywood-based Prime Commercial Developers is planning an office and retail complex dubbed Portofino Shoppes and a residential development named Portofino Village.(VERO BEACH)
October 1, 2007... VERO BEACH--Hollywood-based Prime Commercial Developers is planning an office and retail complex dubbed Portofino Shoppes and a residential development named Portofino Village. The projects are planned for west of 1-95 on the south side of...

Race against the clock.(EMERGENCY MEDICINE)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Three years ago, Collier County medical director Robert Tober was home watching a NASCAR race when he had an epiphany. Noting the split-second choreography of the pit crew performing specialized tasks on a race car,...

Publix Supermarkets.(Players)
October 1, 2007... Publix Supermarkets CEO Charlie Jenkins will retire in March. His cousin, Ed Crenshaw, will take over the reins of the company.

Partners Bank.(Players)
October 1, 2007... Robert Sudbrook was named president and CEO of Partners Bank.

Suncoast Roofers Supply.(Players)
October 1, 2007... Curt Barker, formerly of GAF-Elk, is the new president of Suncoast Reefers Supply in Sarasota. Bill Tamayo, Suncoast's previous president and CEO, is now chairman.

Sarasota.(Players)
October 1, 2007... Robert Bartolotta has signed on as Sarasota's new city manager.

Suncoast Medical Clinic.(Players)
October 1, 2007... David Bailey was named executive director of Suncoast Medical Clinic in St. Petersburg.

The Bove Co. received final approval to build The Avenues.(CHARLOTTE COUNTY)
October 1, 2007... The Bove Co. received final approval to build The Avenues, a 176-condo community in Punta Gorda.