For Cavalia's resident "horse whisperer," the show's Tampa debut at the Florida State Fairgrounds offers the Sarasota native a rare opportunity to visit family, friends and her beloved Ocala farm. Popular demand caused the show to be extended through April 4, two weeks past its original schedule, before it will move on to Charlotte.
Lots of people in Florida and elsewhere talk "green'' in concept, while others talk it, walk it and chalk it up to experience by developing real-life projects to save energy, extend resources and create cool living and working spaces that promise to make the world a bit better one building at a time. 83 Degrees takes a look at three such "green'' projects in Ybor City, an historic neighborhood in Tampa that is helping lead the region into a sustainable future.
The Gulf Coast Builders Exchange will host the Economic Stimulus Reverse Trade Show and Construction Industry Job Fair on Wednesday, March 31, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Polo Grill and Bar in Lakewood Ranch in Sarasota County.Recognizing that the construction industry has been an economic driver in the region, and one that has been hit the hardest since the economic downtown, the Builders Exchange decided to host this event to offer local subcontractors an opportunity to win the bids of larger general contractors. Their motto is: "Members Working With Members" and the event provides an opportunity for local businesses to collaborate with one another, says Bill Jarvis, board chairman. "We created a Reverse Trade Show, similar to a job fair in an effort to create local economic stimulus," Jarvis says. "This event will give all local subcontractors, suppliers and vendors the opportunity to spend an evening with the key decision makers and learn what work is available.Formed in 1952, the Gulf Coast Builders Exchange is a not-for-profit trade organization comprised of about 20 Sarasota contractors. Its purpose is to serve the business needs of local building contractors in Sarasota and Manatee counties.Representatives from the region's largest general contracting companies will be at the tradeshow, providing tips on acquiring bids and winning projects. Participating companies include: Lakewood Ranch Commercial Realty, Suffolk Construction, W.G. Mills, Kraft Construction, Skyline Builders Group of Bradenton plus many more. Also on hand will be public school facilities directors and building officials from Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte counties. For more information, e-mail Julie Ivings at jivings@gcbx.com or call her at 941-907-7745. Writer: Nancy VaughnSource: Bill Jarvis, Gulf Coast Builders Exchange
Christopher Daniels, a branch manager for Liberty National Life Insurance in Tampa, is recruiting and interviewing for sales and management positions with an ambitious goal to hire 22 people over the next 30 days. For those who qualify, Daniels says Liberty offers a comprehensive benefits package including major medical health, pension and a 401k plan, as well as outstanding earnings potential. "Despite the economic downturn, the business is doing very well,'' Daniels says. "We focus on two different markets – the employee benefits market and the senior market. The senior market focus is on medicare supplements and final expense planning." Liberty National's website indicates it has been in business since 1900 and has more than 8,000 sales agents and managers in more than 200 locations nationwide. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Torchmark Corporation, a financial services holding company listed on the New York Stock Exchange and is licensed in 49 states. The company continues to expand nationally with new branch offices. For further information on employment with Liberty National, visit the company website or email LNL tampas@tampabay.rr.com Writer: Lisa Clementi Source: Christopher Daniels, Liberty National
Studio LTR, a Tampa-based interior design firm specializing in residential projects involving new construction and renovations, plans to hire additional subcontractors in 2010. Linda Cox, one of the company partners, says the business is in a growth pattern and is adding more projects and participating in commercial and high-end residential work. Cox says her business employs a wide variety of talented subcontractors, ranging from licensed building contractors who pull permits and work on multistory buildings projects to architects, who sign and seal drawings. Various craftsmen specializing in textile work are also employed as subs. Cox describes her firm's role as "the conduit'' between a client who has a vision for what he or she wants and the architect and construction experts who can make it happen. The firm is akin to "a ringmaster in a circus,'' she says. Every project is different, and none is typical, she says, pointing out that projects can range from remodeling an exercise room in a large multistory condo to doing a bathroom remodel for a 1960s ranch style home. Through the end of March, Studio LTR is a participating design firm in the Florida Orchestra Designer Showcase at Ovation in downtown St. Petersburg. Two fully decorated condos by Studio LTR are on display at the Showcase at 180 Beach Drive NE. Proceeds benefit The Florida Orchestra. Writer: Lisa Clementi Source: Linda Cox, Studio LTR
New College of Florida in Sarasota is building a public archaeology lab that will be completed in the summer of 2010. New College of Florida's Public Archaeology Lab is expected to host elementary and secondary students, archaeological clubs and others from surrounding communities. In an effort to further promote the diversity of Florida's cultural heritage, the archaeology lab will encourage participation from people in the community."There is much more we can do to conserve the past for the future in this region, and this facility will facilitate community-based programs," says Uzi Baram, associate professor of anthropology at NCF.The groundbreaking ceremony for the new facility was held on March 8 and featured speakers Mike Michalson, president of New College; State Representative Keith Fitzgerald; and Baram. The ceremony also included a time capsule burial by university students.Willis A Smith Construction of Sarasota is the general contractor on the project. The building design is by Long & Associates Architects/Engineers of Tampa. Once completed, the $500,000 public archaeology lab will be housed in a 1,600-square-foot building. In addition to the lab, the building will include a classroom for teaching and public events, a storage facility for artifacts and research, a conference room and an outdoor seating area that can be used as a classroom or open-air plaza for community events. Writer: Nancy VaughnSource: Uzi Baram, New College of Florida
Improvements to Tampa's transportation system continue with a multi-million dollar project to assist traffic flow on Interstate 275 and a proposed penny sales tax increase in Hillsborough County to expand transportation development.The Tampa Bay Business Journal also reports the The Tampa Port Authority celebrated an accomplished fiscal year due to their diverse endeavors in trade, shipbuilding and repair, and cruise passenger traffic.Read the special report.
Tampa Bay Water will receive $31.25 million in construction funding from the Southwest Florida Water Management District. The Tampa Bay Seawater Desalination plant successfully completed a four-part test to turn seawater into high-quality drinking water for the 2.5 million residents it serves in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties.Read the complete story
A team of graduate students from the College of Business at the University of South Florida have been named as finalists in the International Case Competition on the Strategic Value of IT Management. CNBC reports that USF is one of 11 schools chosen to compete at CA's user conference, CA World 2010, in Las Vegas.Read the complete story.
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