Author

Carter Gaddis

Carter Gaddis is a freelance writer and graduate of the University of South Florida (BA, mass communications). He covered sports for the Tampa Tribune for 16 years, including four years on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and eight years on the Tampa Bay Rays beat. He publishes the parenting and social commentary blog, DadScribe, and is a contributing writer for the TODAY Show. He lives in Lutz with his wife and two sons. Carter can be found on Twitter @DadScribe. 
 

Carter Gaddis's Latest Articles

Construction Begins On Two New Buildings At The University Of Tampa
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Economic Development
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February 9, 2010

Construction will begin in February on a new student health center and a new academic building at the University of Tampa. Both buildings are intended to meet the requirements for the Green Building Council's LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification and both are expected to be completed in time for the next school year. The new health center will be about 10,300 square feet and will replace the existing campus facility at North Boulevard Avenue and North A Street. "We're committed to provide top-level support for the wellness of all out students, and this new facility will greatly help," says Dean of Students Bob Ruday in a statement released by the university. "The new facility will allow our staff to provide health services more efficiently and effectively and will enhance a student's overall experience at UT. We'll be able to see more patients, and they'll have more privacy." The health center staff attends to about 1,000 students per month for health services and counseling. During this past fall semester, the health staff administered nearly 1,000 flu vaccinations. The new academic building will be about 8,000 square feet and will be located near the Cass Building on the north side of campus. It will include laboratories for chemistry, organic chemistry and biology research, as well as faculty offices and a 35-seat classroom that will be convertible into a 20-station instructional lab. "This new facility will enhance the University of Tampa's strong presence in biology and chemistry and certain pre-professional programs, and will serve as the foundation for future possible construction," says UT President Ronald L. Vaughn. Florida architecture firm Harvard Jolly and Crossroads Construction of Lakeland will handle the project. Writer: Carter GaddisSource: Eric Cardenas, University of Tampa

Cigar Maker Davidoff Relocates U.S. Headquarters, 90 Jobs To Pinellas Park
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Economic Development
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February 9, 2010

The Oettinger Davidoff Group, better known to cigar aficionados as simply, Davidoff, soon will relocate its U.S. headquarters to Pinellas County. The Swiss company chose a 100,000-square-foot building in Pinellas Park instead of a bid from South Carolina and expects to bring 90 jobs to the Tampa Bay region with an average salary of about $56,000. "The Tampa Bay area was quickly recognized as a possible location as a result of its long history and rich heritage in the cigar industry," Davidoff consultant Oscar Avallone says in a statement. Avallone coordinated the company's relocation from its current headquarters in Stamford, Conn. Davidoff is accepting resumes from people interested in applying for one of the jobs at its new distribution warehouse through an email address: jobs@ddcls.com. The company is expected to begin its Pinellas Park operation this year, perhaps as soon as six months. Cigars will be imported from Davidoff's manufacturing facilities in the Dominican Republic and Honduras, then distributed nationwide from the Tampa Bay region. Through Florida's Qualified Target Industry program, Davidoff is eligible for $288,000 in tax refunds from the state. The company will receive an additional $240,000 from the state through the Governor's Quick Action Closing Fund, as well as $20,000 from Pinellas County and up to $64,000 in tax and fee reductions from Pinellas Park. The move was facilitated through a group effort by the Pinellas County Economic Development department, Enterprise Florida, the Governor's Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development, the city of Pinellas Park and WorkNet Pinellas. Writer: Carter GaddisSource: Stacey Swank, Pinellas County Economic Development

Blondie’s Cookies Expands To Tampa Bay Region From Indiana, Adds Jobs
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Entrepreneurship
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February 9, 2010

Blondie's Cookies, which started in 1985 with a single store in Kokomo, Ind., and grew to 10 stores in malls throughout the Hoosier State, launched its first out-of-state expansion with the opening February 1 of the first of four planned stores in the Tampa Bay region at the Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel. Blondie's Florida Regional Manager Rosa Jackson says new stores also are planned for three Westfield malls in the region: Brandon (opening in May), Citrus Park (July) and Sarasota Square (October). The stores will bring 45-50 new jobs to the Tampa Bay region. Jackson said the Wiregrass store, which doubles as a regional warehouse, will have about 15 employees when fully staffed, and the other three stores will employ eight-10, including managers and assistant managers. Further expansion in Florida is possible, Jackson says, but not until she and CEO Brenda Coffman get the four planned stores up and running. Jackson, a Dade City native, has moved home from Indiana to oversee operations in Florida. It was a trip home to visit family this past April, along with Coffman's spring trip to her condominium in Sarasota, that spurred the company's leap into the Tampa Bay region. "It's something that we've always wanted to do," Jackson says. "We've talked about it for years, but the timing was never really there. We had no intention of doing it this year, but my boss and I came down on spring break and I said, 'I found a mall.' She said, 'I found a mall, too.' So she said, 'I'm ready.'" Jackson says the turnaround from concept in April to reality in February has been a whirlwind. The company received its building permit at Wiregrass on January 15, Jackson says, and construction that usually takes 60-90 days was completed in about three weeks. Expansion into Florida during a recession might seem counter-intuitive, but Jackson says Blondie's Cookies was never daunted. "The reason for that is, we believe in the product that we sell," Jackson says. "If we can do well in Indiana, in the Midwest, where your general purchaser is very conservative, then we definitely can do very well in Florida, where there's a little bit more discretionary income." Writer: Carter Gaddis Source: Rosa Jackson, Blondie's Cookies

Public Access To Hillsborough’s Cone Ranch Still Years Away
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Economic Development
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February 2, 2010

Cone Ranch, a nearly 13,000-acre parcel of undeveloped land in northeast Hillsborough County, has been used for little more than cattle grazing for the better part of a century. It soon will be under the protective umbrella of the county's land preservation agency, the Environmental Lands Acquisition and Preservation Program (ELAPP). The county commission voted 6-1 in January to transfer ownership of Cone Ranch to ELAPP from the water department. A proposal to sell the land to private investors with assurances that it would not be developed was opposed by environmental groups and was rejected late last year. Instead, the water department will receive $12 million, approximately what it paid for the land in 1991, and the land will be added to the approximately 48,000 acres already administered by ELAPP. No plan has been formulated for how the land will be used by the public, although the county parks, recreation and conservation department generally designates ELAPP land for hiking and outdoor activities. It could be years before that happens at Cone Ranch. "In the near future, Cone Ranch will not be open to the public," says Mark Thornton, Hillsborough County's director of parks, recreation and conservation. "At least probably the first year, maybe the second year, maybe the third year. When we will get it open as a typical ELAPP site, we really don't know." Thornton hopes eventually to add six new employees in the environmental and land preservation profession to the 22 already employed by ELAPP. The county budget won't support that kind of workforce increase at the moment, Thornton says. Writer: Carter GaddisSource: Mark Thornton, Hillsborough County

Waterfront Park Provides Central Gathering Spot In Downtown Tampa
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Arts
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February 2, 2010

Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio's vision for a tranquil, useful, spiritually uplifting downtown destination became reality when the Curtis Hixon Downtown Waterfront Park officially opened in late January along the Hillsborough River.The $43 million project on Ashley Drive sits on the site occupied by Curtis Hixon Hall from 1965-93 and includes fountains, a dog park, a playground, a stage and perhaps the best views available of the University of Tampa and its famous Plant Hall minarets across the river."Now we have our central gathering place," says Linda Carlo, marketing and special events coordinator for the City of Tampa. "It will be a place for festivals and concerts and large events, but also lots of opportunity for more intimate experiences. Every corner that you stand in at the park gives you a different perspective of the city."Public boat docks also are available at the park, which can hold 10,000 people and served as the terminus for last week's Gasparilla Parade. Monthly concerts are planned, with a performance by the Florida Orchestra scheduled for April 24.The park's opening ceremony preceded by two weeks the official scheduled opening February 6  of the new Tampa Museum of Art, which is situated adjacent to the park. Later this year, the Glazer Children's Museum will open, completing the new cultural district's transformation.Curtis Hixon Downtown Waterfront Park is part of the long-range Riverwalk project, which is intended to link the downtown riverfront by walkways and parkland over a 2.2-mile stretch from the North Boulevard bridge south to the Channelside District. Writer: Carter GaddisSource: Linda Carlo, City of Tampa

Seasons 52 Restaurant To Open At Tampa’s WestShore Plaza
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Economic Development
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February 2, 2010

Seasons 52, a growing brand in the family of Darden Restaurants that includes Bahama Breeze, Olive Garden, Red Lobster and Capital Grille, will open at WestShore Plaza in Tampa on February 15. The first Seasons 52 opened in Orlando in 2003. The fresh grill and wine bar, which emphasizes a "lighter" approach to dining, now has eight locations in Florida, Georgia and New Jersey and will grow to 12 by the end of the year with new sites in Tampa, Pennsylvania, Illinois and California. Darden spokesperson Lisa Lawrence says hiring at the Tampa location is 95 percent complete and the restaurant is on track for its scheduled opening under the direction of managing partner David Valentine. The core concept for Seasons 52 is a menu that is dictated by, as the name suggests, the seasons. While some menu items are year-round staples (cedar plank Atlantic salmon, grilled rack of New Zealand lamb, caramelized sea scallops, char crust filet mignon), others will be inspired by the time of year. The winter specialties include chicken tortilla soup, an artichoke and goat cheese flatbread and blackened mahi-mahi. Most entrees will be priced in the $14-18 range, with appetizers for $3.75-$11.50. Wines by the glass will be available from $6.25-$15. The new WestShore Plaza restaurant will offer free valet parking. For reservations, call 813-286-1152 or visit Seasons52.com. Writer: Carter Gaddis Source: Lisa Lawrence, Darden Restaurants

Circus Museum Grows With Tibbals Learning Center Expansion In Sarasota
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Arts
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February 2, 2010

Construction is scheduled to begin in March on a $7.5-million expansion of the Tibbals Learning Center at the Circus Museum on the grounds of the Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota. A groundbreaking ceremony for the new 20,000-square-feet wing took place in late January, and the new facility is scheduled to open in the fall of 2011. The Learning Center will remain open to the public while construction is ongoing. The Tibbals Learning Center, named for philanthropist Howard Tibbals, is home to what is billed as the largest model circus in the world. The model was built by Tibbals, a long-time circus enthusiast who also made a $4 million donation toward the cost of the expansion. John Ringling moved the winter quarters of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus to Sarasota in 1927, giving the Tampa Bay region a historical tie to the circus world. Circus Museum curator Deborah Walk says about half of the new space will be used for storage of circus artifacts. Much of the space will be used to pay homage to the people who helped make the Ringling family circus empire such a 20th century success story. "It's really going to drill down and focus on the history of the performer and the incredible acts that were the hallmark of the circus," says Walk. "The museum gives a wonderful insight into how John and his brother made a lot of money and created an entertainment empire that still exists today, but it gives prominence to circus people and how they have enriched the area." Writer: Carter Gaddis Source: Deborah Walk, the Circus Museum

Lakeland Green Business Expo Promotes Local Sustainability
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Economic Development
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February 2, 2010

Jeff Kratsch initially wanted to put his marketing skills to work raising awareness about protecting the environment "one light bulb at a time." He founded his Bradenton-based environmental nonprofit, OneLightBlub.org, in 2007 with that in mind."There's so much information out there about sustainability, it can be overwhelming to figure out where to start," says Kratsch. "The original model was to help people figure out how to change a light bulb, the easy energy conservation stuff."The concept bloomed into what he hopes will become a regular series of green business expositions. It started with what Kratsch called a "flawless" event in Sarasota-Bradenton in June 2009, and will continue Feb. 27 at the Lakeland Center with the Lakeland Green Business Expo.The events have been given a catchy name, created by Kratsch and his 11-year-old daughter: Green Home WamaLama Green Business Expo. The goal is to create a local answer to sustainability, green living and green business practices, and to showcase "American innovation in the new 'green' economy."The Lakeland event, featuring a recycling drive and an Eco-Kids zone with fun learning activities, will showcase green initiatives developed by government agencies across Lakeland and Polk County.The expo will include exhibits and programs by "Green Earth Presentation" sponsors such as Magnify Credit Union, QuickBeam Energy of Winter Haven, new hybrid vehicles from local auto dealers and other vendors of sustainable and energy saving products and services.Krastch says he's planning a third show in October 2010."We're not trying to be a big Vegas-style or Orlando-style trade show," Kratsch says. "We really are trying to promote local business, local economies and demonstrate ways to drive the sustainability when you find these things."The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission and parking are free. Writer: Carter GaddisSource: Jeff Kratsch, OneLightBulb.org

Sweetbay Embraces Sustainability With Green Store In Tarpon Springs
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Economic Development
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January 26, 2010

Sweetbay Supermarket's first "green" store, which opened this past November in Tarpon Springs, expects its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification any day now.Having complied with the U.S. Green Building Council's checklist for environmentally friendly buildings, the LEED rating will be a formality, but it will mark a milestone for Tampa-based Sweetbay and for the city of Tarpon Springs."They wanted to have some green development in their community," says Sweetbay spokesperson Nicole LeBeau, "and we worked with them to make it happen."Among several environmentally friendly innovations at the store on Alternate U.S. 19 are low-flow toilets to conserve water; parking spaces designated for low-emission vehicles and car-poolers; and easy proximity to the Pinellas Trail to encourage bike-riding shoppers.The store also will use reclaimed water and has installed an air conditioning unit designed to be 30 percent more efficient than standard units."For starters, I think it's our corporate social responsibility to see what we can do to help save the Earth," says LeBeau. "We have a responsibility to our community to help save energy, help with recycling, several energy efforts we need to be making to be responsible to the Earth."The U.S. Green Building Council is a non-profit affiliation of companies nationwide committed to encouraging construction of cost-efficient and energy saving buildings. The LEED certification system provides a checklist for commercial and residential construction to address environmental concerns.According to a U.S. Green Building Council study conducted by Booz Allen Hamilton and released in November, green building is expected to support 7.9 million jobs in the United States during the next four years.Writer: Carter GaddisSource: Nicole LeBeau, Sweetbay

Brooksville’s Quarry Preserve Project Takes Another Step Forward
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Economic Development
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January 26, 2010

Quarry Preserve, a proposed 5,800-home development north of Brooksville, cleared an important hurdle this month when the Hernando Board of County Commissioners voted 3-2 to send the plan to the Florida Department of Community Affairs for review.Should the Quarry Preserve plan clear its review, it would return to the county commission for further consideration as soon as late spring or early summer.The county commission's decision to transmit the request to amend the county's comprehensive plan followed a similarly narrow approval in December by the county's Planning and Zoning Commission.This is the latest step in a process that began more than three years ago for developer Brooksville Quarry LLC."It's taken us that long to get here, but there were some challenges and opposition as relates to the property, so we've tried to put together a project that has all the right things associated with it," says attorney Jake Varn, who represents the developer.The 4,280-acre limestone quarry was owned by Jacksonville-based Florida Rock Industries, which was purchased by Vulcan Materials Company in 2007. Varn said mining activity continues on about 150 acres of the land, but the land is expected to mined out long before the Quarry Preserve project would break ground in 2014 or 2015.The developer predicts the project will create about 5,000 jobs, with an annual average earnings of about $158.4 million.The project is being termed a "sustainable development," with "smart growth" plans that include a golf course, grocery stores, banks, restaurants, retail shops and office space. More than 1,000 acres would be dedicated to greenways, pedestrian trails and wildlife habitat.It has faced opposition from local environmental activists and was recommended by the board of commissioners for transmittal despite reservations about urban sprawl raised by the county's planning staff.Writer: Carter GaddisSource: Jake Varn, Fowler, White, Boggs

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