South Florida Business Journal articles from October 2000

South Florida Business Journal archives from October 2000

Hospital district offers early retirements.(North Broward Hospital District)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... In a drastic move to trim spiraling labor costs and expensive staffing patterns, the North Broward Hospital District has authorized management to offer a voluntary retirement incentive program that would allow up to 1,139 employees the...

Medical firm perfects the take-home test.
October 6, 2000... Thanks to a pair of South Florida entrepreneurs, diabetics are now being given the chance for mail-in diagnostic glucose test kits that will provide better information about how to keep their disease under control. Diagnostic test kits for...

Optimism follows slump in the market.
October 6, 2000... Almost everywhere investors turn, they find questions and concerns. We enter this year's fourth quarter amid a slump that began last spring. Ongoing stories add to the uncertainty: Oil prices. The presidential election. Slowdowns in...

SoBe bank to be born again as incubator.(TechSpace plans to offer short-term office space)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... An empty bank branch sitting in the middle of South Beach's bustling sandbox of Internet and New Media companies will be hollowed out and reborn next spring. It is slated to become a busy birthing center for entrepreneurial start-ups learning...

NOTA, bellSouth hear bell, come out swinging.(network access point)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... NAP of the Americas (NOTA) and BellSouth are standing node to node in the fight for datacom supremacy Like a chess match between heavyweights, each move produces a countermove. And no one wants to acknowledge that a fight, albeit genteel,...

Video ads come to billboard, trucks.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... Outdoor video ads aren't just in stadiums anymore. These days you can see video ads playing on a van that cruises nightclub districts in Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Commuters driving south past Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport...

Renaissance Village may give rebirth to children at risk.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... A new development in northern Palm Beach County will not only provide recreation in an ultra-exclusive, high-life country dub setting but will offer hope to children who have seen mostly the underside of life. Father Leo Armbrust, best...

Grove Playhouse closes curtain on hotel project.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... Playhouse moves to lease lot for expansion, faces lawsuit from development group The Coconut Grove Playhouse has decided its time to give the hook to a local development group with plans, and initial permission, to transform the theater's...

Bank of America to add 400 jobs in Florida.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... At branches around South Florida, Bank of America this fall is adding nearly 200 tellers, account officers and other customer service representatives. Meanwhile, the country's biggest commercial bank is redesigning about 50 of its South...

Restrictions ease on marijuana-like drug.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... Florida has joined 40 other states in easing the prescribing restrictions on the marijuana-like drug, Marinol. Roxane Laboratories and Unimed Pharmaceuticals say that Florida authorities have rescheduled Marinol (a brand name of dronabinol)...

CyberGuard small-cap listing appeal denied.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... CyberGuard Corp. in Fort Lauderdale (OTC BB: CYBG), a provider of network security solutions, announced this week that Nasdaq denied its appeal to be listed on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market. The company said it will appeal again. In a release,...

IFX Corp. reports loss.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
October 6, 2000... IFX Corp. (Nasdaq: FUTR) had a net loss of $45.9 million or $4.52 a share on revenues of $9.7 million for the year.ended June 30, compared to a net loss of $1.7 million or 26 cents a share on revenues of $725,300 last year. The Miami-based firm...

Imprimis names Eduard Will CEO.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... Eduard Will has been appointed the new CEO of Imprimis, formerly Boca Research (Nasdaq: BOCI). Will has been a director of the company since August 1999 and replaces Robert W. Ferguson, who will continue as board chairman. The Boca Raton-based...

Marcus out at NuWeb.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... Bernard Marcus, board chairman at NuWeb Solutions (OTC BB: NWEB), an adult Internet company, resigned. CEO Andrew Chandler will act as temporary chairman of the Pompano Beach-based company.

Internet/Latin America summit.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... Strategic Research Institute of New York said blue chip companies opening Latin American markets via the Web and product companies spearheading their efforts will convene in Miami for an "E-Marketing Latin America" summit conference Oct. 30-31....

Boca Raton hospital loses $32.5 million.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
October 6, 2000... Boca Raton Community Hospital reported a $32.5 million loss on $171 million net revenues during the 2000 budget year. It was the 394-bed hospital's first net loss in its 33-year history. Admissions rose 5.7 percent to 20,125 for the 2000...

IVAX gets OK for blood pressure drug.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... Miami-based WAX Corp. (AMEX: IVX) received final approval for its Abbreviated New Drug Application for bisoprolol fumarate and hydrochlorothiazide tablets in 2.5 mg/6.25 mg, 5 mg/6.25 mg, and 10 mg/6.25 mg strengths from the U.S. Food and Drug...

Bayer settles allegations of fraudulent Medicaid claims.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... Bayer Corp. of Pittsburgh has agreed to pay $14 million to the United States and 47 states to settle allegations under the federal False Claims Act that the company was responsible for physicians, pharmacists and home health agencies to submit...

Professionals do good while networking.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... Cultural groups serve dual purposes -- raising funds and making contacts George Bush -- not to be confused with the Republican presidential nominee or the former president -- likes the idea of helping others, especially children. ...

Air Partner's growth a sign maturing local charter market.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... Air charter provider Air Partner, one of the oldest air charter companies in the world, doesn't own any planes. But that hasn't hindered its growth. The company is based in London with offices in Fort Lauderdale and New York and has...

Shochet Holding Q2 loss doubles.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... Shochet Holding Corp. (Nasdaq: SHOC) posted a net loss of $803,000 or 36 cents a share on revenues of $1.61 million for the second quarter ended July31 vs. a loss of $310,000 or 26 cents a share on revenues of $1.92 million in the year-ago...

Empire of Carolina to be de-listed.
October 6, 2000... Delray Beach-based Empire of Carolina (AMEX: EMP) has received notice from the American Stock Exchange that its common stock Series A convertible preferred stock and warrants will be de-listed. Empire will appeal and has requested a formal...

Applica issues Q3-Q4 warning.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... Applica (NYSE: APN) warned that its third and fourth quarter results will reflect weaker-than-anticipated sales, according to David M. Friedson, Applica chairman, president and CEO. The Miami Lakes-based company cited higher inventory levels,...

Continucare 2000 earnings rise.
October 6, 2000... Continucare Corp. in Miami (AMEX: CNU), a company that provides outpatient health care services through managed care arrangements and home health care services in Florida, reported that net income for fiscal 2000 increased to $14.1 million or...

LNR 3Q earnings jump 61 percent.
October 6, 2000... Miami-based LNR Properly Corp. (NYSE: LNR) reported net earnings for the third quarter ended Aug. 31 rose to 95 cents a share from 59 cents a share for the same quarter in 1999. Third quarter revenues jumped 53 percent over last year's quarter,...

LAM to trade on OTC bulletin board.
October 6, 2000... LAM Pharmaceutical Corp. (OTC BB: LAMP) of Miami said it has been approved to list its shares on-the Nasdaq OTC Bulletin Board. LAM Pharmaceutical, with laboratories in Miami and offices in Toronto, has developed a number of drugs for the...

Recreation USA to buy back stock.
October 6, 2000... Holiday RV Superstores (Nasdaq: RVEE) of Fort Lauderdale, doing business as Recreation USA, said it has received authorization from its board of directors to repurchase up to 300,000 shares, or more than 4 percent, of its outstanding common...

Puradyn lands $7 million in offering.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... Puradyn Filter Technologies (OTC BB: PFTI) has completed a $7 million common stock offering. This follows a similar $4.2 million placement in March for the Boynton.-Beach based high-tech firm. Puradyn CEO Richard C. Ford said chairman Joseph V....

BankAtlantic tender offer done.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... BankAtlantic Bancorp (NYSE: BBX) has completed a tender offer for a portion of its outstanding 5.625 percent convertible subordinated debentures (Nasdaq: BANCH). The Fort Lauderdale-based firm bought back $25 million in face value of the...

Pueblo Xtra tenders for $87.7 million.
October 6, 2000... Pueblo Xtra International, parent of Pueblo International, has tendered for $87.7 million of its 9.5 percent senior and series C senior notes due 2003. The Pompano Beach-based company will pay $570 plus accrued interest per $1,000 face value,...

Fine Air to reorganize.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... Fine Air Services Corp. of Miami and its subsidiaries that include Arrow Air filed for protection and reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Fine Air will continue to operate as a scheduled air cargo carrier with no...

NIH gives Viragen rights to therapy.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... Plantation-based Viragen (AMEX: VRA) announced the National Institutes of Health has granted it an exclusive license to use monoclonal antibody or antibody fragments technology that basically induces cancer cells to commit suicide, a process...

Entrepreneurs buy SunCruz Casinos.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... A group of entertainment and gaming industry executives has acquired the assets of SunCruz Casinos of Dania Beach. The gaming operation was sold by SunCruz Casinos Ltd. and other related entities for an undisclosed amount to SunCruz Casinos...

Cleveland Clinic to open heart center.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... Cleveland Clinic Florida has received official certification from the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration for its open heart surgery center, which will be implemented at the Clinic's 150-bed hospital in Weston. Cleveland Clinic...

Colonial Direct acquires CPA firm.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... Boca Raton-based Colonial Direct Financial Group announced it has acquired Kopple & Gottlieb, a full-service CPA firm in Philadelphia. Michael Spoil, former managing partner at Kopple, was named president of Colonial Direct Business Services, a...

Spherion acquires JobOptions.com.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... Spherion Corp. (NYSE: SFN) of Fort Lauderdale said it has acquired an 80 percent stake in JobOptions.com, an online recruitment solutions provider. JobOptions will assume the assets of Spherion's CareerZone.com and operate as an independent...

Medical Properties buys in Florida.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... Tennessee-based Medical Properties of America has begun its expansion in Florida with the purchase of $8.17 million in medical office space in Port St. Lucie and Ocala. Wayne Buck, president and COO of Medical Properties, said the company is in...

Carnival acquires Costa Crociere.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... Carnival Corp. (NYSE: CCL) has concluded its previously announced intent to acquire the outstanding 50 percent interest in Genoa, Italy-based Costa Crociere from Airtours plc, a British-based travel supplier. The transaction is valued at...

Banking on Cuba's future.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... If Cuba turns to a free market economy any time soon, it likely will call on Gerald Corrigan, the former president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for advice on setting up a banking system. During the early 1990s, Corrigan...

Soured loans gone, sweet expansion coming.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... Executives at Southern Security Bancorp say South Florida needs a local bank that has offices in all three counties and provides services to entrepreneurial business owners and to high net-worth individuals. Now, near the end of a year in...

Mr. Sun doesn't live here.(Sentinel Sun credit card)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... At The Business Journal, we're always delighted to get the competition's mail. But an offer to tap Mr. Sentinel Sun's $3,000 pre-approved line of credit is more than we would ever expect. "Enjoy the convenience and financial freedom of...

Rev it up.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... Auto enthusiasts will get a look at some of the latest models when the South Florida International Auto Show opens today and runs through Oct. 15 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Among the concept cars on display will be the Chrysler...

No canker, no problem.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... Mark D. Fichtel, president and CEO of The New York Board of Trade commodity exchange, was in town last week to hobnob at the annual meeting of the Citrus Processors Association at The Breakers in Palm Beach. On the agenda: changes in...

What to do with a seized $2.5 million?(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... The way the police cars congregated at Presidential Circle last week, it looked as if a major drug bust was underway. Quite the opposite. The Hollywood Police Department was showing off how it spent its recently awarded $425,000, a share of...

Don't quit your day job.(companies use successful business people to promote products)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... As business news surpasses political news in popularity, companies are using successful business people instead of celebrities to pitch products. Now that media trend has come home to roost. Take Plantation's Susan Hurschman, a financial...

For $12.5 million, turn a jungle into a park.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... Hoping to jump-start developers' interest in the southern half of Watson Island, the city of Miami held an unusual "leasehold transfer ceremony" Oct. 3 celebrating its lease of 18.6 acres to Parrot Jungle. Four years in the making, the...

Shaking up the Hialeah retail mix.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... There are signs of change at Westland Mall in Hialeah. Among the new businesses that will diversify its tenant mix is La Fugata, a restaurant from the owners of steak chain Los Ranchos. Another newcomer is Dance-O-Rama, a dance studio...

Hollywood.com lays off workers.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... Hollywood.com (Nasdaq: HOLL) in Boca Raton announced a consolidation plan designed to enhance its Web site and improve its other Internet properties, company officials said. The company says it's consolidating its technology and hosting...

Paxson acquires Jacksonville station.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... Paxson Communications Corp. in West Palm Beach (AMEX: PAX) announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire television station WBSG TV-21 in Brunswick, Ga., serving Jacksonville, the nation's 53rd largest market, pending FCC approval. WBSG...

Talk Visual buys engineering firm.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... Miami-based Talk Visual Corp. (OTC BB: TALK) has signed a definitive letter of intent to acquire Frederick Engineering of Baltimore, Md. According to the company, it is a $5 million cash and stock deal. Frederick Engineering has revenues of...

eContent to buy entertainment firm.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... eContent of West Palm Beach (OTC BB: ETNT) said it executed a letter of intent to acquire Internet Broadcast Network. Internet Broadcast is a New York-based entertainment company with broadcast, video and Internet rights, title and interest to...

Dentist, son arrested on fraud.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... A Broward County dentist and his radiologist son were arrested last week for defrauding the state's Medicaid program through the unlawful solicitation of children for dental services. Arthur T. Bruggissor, 74, of Plantation and Arthur W....

Hospital district to sell property.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... The North Broward Hospital District's Board of Commissioners approved the sale of 14.34 acres of undeveloped land at Pine Island Road and Commericial Boulevard. A district spokesman said the district will start advertising for bids and he...

Spirit adds O'Hare flights.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... Spirit Airlines, based in Miramar, is launching service Thursday from Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers and Orlando to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. Inaugural fares begin at $99 each way based on a round-trip purchase. Flights will depart...

Recycling facility to expand.
October 6, 2000... Star Services Group (OTC BB: SSVC) announced it purchased 2.4 acres adjacent to its construction and demolition debris recycling facility in Pompano Beach for $650,000. Star Services Group is an integrated solid waste services company that...

Royal Caribbean expands in Wichita.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... Royal Caribbean Cruises has grown its global call center in Wichita, Kan., with a 66,000-square-foot, $18 million expansion of its 350-person center. Royal Caribbean's original Wichita facility, opened three years ago, operates in conjunction...

There is life after technology in small-cap market.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... Dear Mr. Berko: In January, you advised us to get out of our high-tech issues. I didn't and now I'm really sorry. We have over $80,000 to invest for our small company pension plan and would like your recommendations for a half dozen or so...

Low demand, stock doldrums threaten Hi-Rise market listing.(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
October 6, 2000... * Profile: Hi-Rise Recycling Systems is a recycling and waste equipment manufacturer that markets, designs, sells, installs and services recycling and waste systems for the waste hauler, municipal, industrial and residential markets. Top...

Don't get designs.(Buick Blackhawk concept model)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... You may not be able to ever spend it on this Buick -- even if you are a recent lottery winner. The Buick Blackhawk is a concept model, which, according to the company, was designed to emphasize Buick's heritage of distinctive design and...

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... ACCOUNTING Arnold Sher was appointed a director at the Coral Gables accounting firm Ocariz, Gitlin & Zomerfeld. The Weston accounting firm Grant Thornton appointed Martin H. Cohn director of marketing and business development. ...

Table-top networking.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... There's no better opportunity to make business contacts when you can see them and take home supporting materials. The Business Journal's first of many trade shows and networking events brought out hundreds to mix and mingle with 150 exhibitors,...

A women's alliance.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... The Women's Alliance Group of Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart honored Secretary of State Katherine Harris, far left, at a special reception at the Norton Museum of Art last month. The group of female attorneys is dedicated to empowering women inside...

Free expert advice.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... A recent e-mail advertised: Are you planning to create or enhance your company's e-commerce strategy? Wonder what questions you should be asking -- and who to ask? Find the answers at:...

Everybody stretch.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... Go beyond your customer's expectations and you will create loyalty. Paul R.Timm at Brigham Young University's Marriott School of Management uses a formula for customer service called VISPAC, which stands for: * Value. Give customers more...

FRANCHISING 101.
October 6, 2000... Wendy 's founder Dave Thomas shows anyone can do it Dave Thomas, the cherub-faced founder and CEO of Wendy's International (NYSE: WEN), and consultant Michael Seid have co-authored a book for entrepreneurs titled "Franchising for Dummies,"...

Take advantage of different opportunities; they win.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... Last week I challenged you to make a list of everything that you claim about your company and product and service that your competition does not claim they do or have. The result for most is a blank piece of paper. I cliff-hanged you to...

CORPORATE ELITE: ARCHITECTS.
October 6, 2000... E. "MANNY" ABRABEN Title: President Firm: Abraben Architects Background: Entered private practice in 1962 Education: Columbia University, bachelor's degree Address: 6463 La Costa Drive, No. 405, Boca Raton E-mail:...

Newcomer tops architectural firm list.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... A newcomer takes first rank this year on The Business Journal's list of largest architectural firms. The list is ranked on gross architectural billings and ties were broken by the numbers of registered architects on staff. A registered...

Home by the office.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... What do you want to be when you grow up? If you asked that question about downtown Fort Lauderdale a year ago, the answer would have been a big city downtown. The evidence was a lack of height restrictions on developments and a waiver of...

End the HOV lanes.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... Those who've been aggravated by the site of nearly empty HOV lanes while traffic is crowded onto the rest of the highway will find this week's guest column insightful. We asked writer JC Robbins, a journalist now attending law school, to...

Why our HOV lanes don't work.
October 6, 2000... Diamond-lane stories are the stuff of urban legend. A man dresses up a rubber blow-up doll to ride shotgun. disguising the dummy with sunglasses, a Marlins hats and a t-shirt. Heard that one? Maybe it was a mannequin. How about the...

An invitation from the President.
October 6, 2000... Eric Horowitz Dear Telecommunications professional and all South Florida business professionals who are affected by telecommunications: The South Florida Telecommunications Forum (SFTF) is a dynamic group spanning six years. Let me...

Smart Buildings -- Do you work in one?(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... Take a look around your office. Are you working in a "Smart Building"? A "Smart Building" is a high-technology workplace where various technologies converge to work collectively to increase efficiency and functionality. It provides its...

One-Stop Shopping for Smart Homes and Offices.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... As real estate techno types are focusing on questions like whose web site has the most property ads and whose pages are hit most often, builders are beginning to focus on the other side of the technology issue; hardwiring new buildings,...

Coldwell Banker on "Smart Buildings".(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... The Internet has created a new paradigm by which we do business. The marketplace is changing faster than today than any other time in history. Companies today are experiencing quicker concept to market delivery than ever before. Manufacturers...

South Florida Telecom Forum and InternetCoast: Teaming to bridge the Digital Divide.
October 6, 2000... If computers and internet access are "labor-saving technologies," why are you and I working longer hours yet saving less? Hit a painful nerve? It's not just you. We work 9.5 hours a week more than in 1989, according to a Labor Day 2000 report...

The New Standard for Business Travelers: High-Speed Internet Access.
October 6, 2000... Once upon a time, a good hotel meant a clean room with a bed and bathroom, situated some place central in town with a decent restaurant nearby. Good service was an added bonus, but not required. Advancing technology has changed that bygone era...

The South Florida Telecom Forum Goes Virtual.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... Beginning October 11, 2000, the South Florida Telecom Forum (SFTF) will make each monthly lecture series available online. Thus extending information to the local community-and the entire world. Each monthly lecture will now give you the...

High-Tech: Build-to-Fit, or Retrofit?(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... With a lack of suitable "smart" space in South Florida and a scarcity of urban land, it would seem logical that retrofitting existing buildings might be a viable option for satisfying high-tech building needs. Think again. Yes, there are rare...

Smart Buildings Provide Creative Environments for dot.coms.
October 6, 2000... ... .Plus creativity ideas from a top website designer Brainstorm what the wired building of the future would look like: Hyper-fast Internet access from multiple carriers/LECs... ready-on video conferencing... ubiquitous wireless LAN...

Dear Fellow Floridians.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Florida Council on Economic Education. It is an important milestone for all of us as we serve to empower our students to lead productive, successful adult lives. Our children's level of knowledge...

FLORIDA COUNCIL ON ECONOMIC EDUCATION CELEBRATES 25 YEARS OF SERVICE.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... In business, as in life, timing is a crucial part of success. Twenty-five years ago a group of Florida's business leaders decided free enterprise education should be taught in school, beginning in kindergarten. They pooled efforts and went...

SYKES SET TO LEAD COUNCIL INTO MILLENNIUM.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2000... John Sykes When John Sykes was inducted into the Tampa Bay Business Hall of Fame in 1998, he may not have foreseen that in two short years he would become chairman of the Florida Council on Economic Education. It doesn't come as any...

2000 SOUTH FLORIDA BUSINESS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES.
October 6, 2000... William H. Allen, Jr. Bank of America Since finishing active duty as a Captain with the United States Marine Corps in 1962, Bill Allen has been deeply involved in the banking industry on many levels. Allen is a graduate of Colgate...