Community Manatee Movers and Shakers, 6/14/12

Starfruit Productions Wins Best Wedding Videographer In Tampa Bay Area

For the second-year in a row, Bradenton-based StarFruit productions has been voted Best Wedding Videographer in the Tampa Bay Area by WTSP’s A-List. This year’s full A-List can be viewed here http://tampacityvoter.dealchicken.com/best/tampa-bay/winners.

StarFruit Productions is known for their stunning, award-winning wedding films, garnering a number of titles including Best Disney Wedding Video, The Bride’s Choice Awards from WeddingWire.com and Best of Weddings picks from TheKnot.com.

The production studio and its director/producer Sage Hall have also been recognized outside of the wedding realm. In February of 2011, her short Halloween-themed film ”Candy.“ was part of the Screen Actors Guild Foundation Short Film Showcase, presented at the Screen Actors Guild Boardroom in New York City. The film was one of only nine chosen for the showcase. ”Candy“ has received other numerous awards and been screened at many film festivals in the US, Canada and Ireland.

Greater Sarasota Chamber Expands Sales Team, Hires Oma McCall

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce has hired Oma McCall as its second new Membership Sales Representative. McCall’s primary goal will be to pursue and secure new business for Chamber membership and benefits. She will collaborate with the membership team to communicate the tremendous value and rewards of being a part of The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce.

”We are really excited to have Oma join The Chamber team. Her energy and sales experience will be a tremendous asset in sharing The Chamber mantra with the greater Sarasota community,“ says Heather Kasten, Vice President of The Membership Experience.

Originally from Indiana, McCall graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University with a Masters in Management. She brings a wealth of experience in Chamber Membership sales from The Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce. In 2011 McCall was ranked 4^th nationally in dollar sales, ranked 6^th of new members sales and received the Million Dollar Lifetime Achievement Award by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives. 

McCall stated, ”I consider it an extreme privilege to be a part of this energetic, well-guided team at the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce.  I am looking forward to meeting with businesses and sharing the many opportunities available through Chamber membership.“

Best Selling Women’s Publication Features Local Bradenton Spa

Women’s World Article Focuses On Unique Therapy Developed By Sparenity’s Dr. Doug Dowe

Dr. Doug Dowe from Sparenity in Bradenton, Florida is featured in the June 18^thWomen’s World issue that hits stands on June 14^th.  The article is focused on Dr. Dowe’s unique auricular acupressure therapy.  

Dr. Dowe has been perfecting this treatment for many years and has developed it into miraculous healing for a variety of everyday issues including: the ability to stop smoking, eat less, feel less stress and much more. The treatment uses tiny steel balls to apply pressure to targeted areas of the two hundred acupressure points that exist in the outer ear. Dr. Dowe has had great success with this unique therapy working with many patients locally in Bradenton, and is in the process of developing a kit that individuals can order that will enable them to administer the auricular acupressure therapy treatment on their own. 

Manasota Elks Lodge 2734 to Host State President

Patrick Gallagher, District Vice President of the Mighty Southwest District from Manasota Elks Lodge 2734, will host the State President of the Florida State Elks Association Friday and Saturday June 15 and16 during his official visit to The Mighty Southwest District.

Sean D. Maguire, State President who heads the 60,000 plus members Association, will address Elks members at the local Lodges through the weekend. Elks from all Lodges in the district will be in attendance.

President Maguire will speak Saturday night at Manasota Lodge about the state’s major projects, Florida Elks Children’s Therapy Services and Florida Elks Youth Camp, which provide for children and operate on a combined budget of over $5,000,000 a year. He will also speak about the Elks Drug Awareness Program for students, the Veterans’ Program, the Elks Scholarship Program, and his slogan for the year, ”The key to Success Membership Engagement.“

Manatee Chamber’s New Green Companies

The Manatee Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce and recognize its third round of ”Green“ certified companies. The Sustainable Manatee: Green Business Certification Program members include:

• Toyota of Lakewood
• GUTI the Premier Beauty & Barber Academy, Inc.
• Manson Roofing, Inc.
• Berry Plastics

These companies received certification based upon building designs and their operations. In addition to being sustainable/green, they have reduced overhead costs, maximized efficiencies and helped to create a sustainable business environment within our community that can be emulated by others.

The four main categories of sustainability includes: Recycling, Reuse, Energy Conservation, Water Conservation and Commodity Conservation. The Chamber’s program allows businesses to focus on these topical areas and other creative ideas that will work within their business model – letting them get the maximum benefit from certification. It is based upon a point system; the more points, the higher the level of sustainable commitment/competence.

The above four businesses will receive the following benefits for their certifications:

• Recognized by the Manatee Chamber as a ”Green Business“ on our website.
• Have their certification announced at a Chamber event and via press release.
• Listed in the Chamber Directory as a ”green business“.
• Given rights to use the Chamber Green Business logo for advertising purposes.
• Receive a Manatee Chamber Green Business window decal for their business venue.

All Chamber businesses are welcome to apply for certification. Applications are available through Neil Spirtas, Vice President of Public Policy & Small Business. For details on each of these companies please contact Neil Spirtas, VP Public Policy & Small Business,  941-748-4842, ext. 124, or email NeilS@ManateeChamber.com.

Jack Merriam Joins SBEP Citizens Advisory Committee

John (Jack) Merriam was approved for membership by the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) with the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) this week. The 26-member group provides the SBEP with citizen input and helps the organization promote its programs and projects. The members include parents, grandparents, educators, former elected representatives, business owners, environmental advocates, scientists, ecologists, realtors and engineers. 

Jack is the recently retired environmental manager for Sarasota County. He worked for Sarasota County for 12 years over two periods in the mid 80s and more recently from 2005 until his retirement earlier this year. His extensive background in resource management includes stints with the St. Johns River Water Management District, the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation, Florida Department of Natural Resources, Florida House of Representatives, and Hillsborough County.

Jack completed his graduate and undergraduate degrees at the USF College of Natural Sciences. He has been involved with SBEP previously as a member of the SBEP Management Board. Jack was honored with a SBEP Blue Dolphin Award at the inaugural Sarasota Bay Awards Program held in April. The award honors area champions of Sarasota Bay. His personal interests include kayaking, fly fishing, sailing, bird watching, and enjoying sunset views with his spouse Carmen. The couple recently launched Merriam’s Mushrooms specializing in shiitakes and oysters.