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| G.Wiz Fab Lab Design Center |
The Science Museum announces that the Faulhaber Fab Lab will open to the public, May 6, 2011. Designed to promote science literacy and cross-discipline collaboration and innovation, the project is the first of its kind in the region.
What’s a fab lab?
The original concept was developed at MIT. Short for "fabrication laboratory,“ a fab lab is a place ”where the practical application of science, technology and craftsmanship finds a home,“ says Dr. Fritz Faulhaber, who, with his wife Ping and through the Faulhaber Family Foundation, donated to G.WIZ to launch the project.
”Although work in the fab lab will utilize the cyber world of computers and computer-guided machinery, the end result is a physical product, not merely a digital construction that ceases to exist when the electricity goes away,“ he says.
According to Faulhaber, the main purpose of a fab lab is ”personal manufacturing, or making one of something using advanced tools instead of trying to cheaply manufacture many thousands of items for mass consumption. It is the ultimate custom creation. We expect to foster innovation, art, learning, craftsmanship, the fun of creating special things, and the building of science demonstrations and experiments.“
Molly Morgan, director of G.WIZ, says: ”The main goal of the Faulhaber Fab Lab will be to nurture the inventors in all of us. We’ll be creating demonstrations and exhibits that encourage minds of all ages to experience the creative possibilities of the physical sciences. Think of it as a space where people from all kinds of backgrounds can collaborate, create and brainstorm. It’s really the workshop of the future.“
The Faulhaber Fab Lab will give community members access to high-tech tools in order to actualize ideas through design and fabrication.
”Hands-on, experiential learning and creating is the core concept behind this project,“ says Morgan. ”It’s also a concept near and dear to Dr. Faulhaber’s heart. His passion is instilling a love of exploration of the world we live in. And he’s putting his money behind his passion.“
The Faulhabers are residents of Sarasota County and owners of The Faulhaber Group, a leading innovator in the field of miniature and micro DC motion control. ”G.WIZ is an ideal place to start such an enterprise,“ says Fritz Faulhaber. ”It already has connections to the public at large and to the educational community, as well as the enthusiasm needed for the concept.“
Morgan says the G.WIZ team is looking forward to involving the entire community. ”Our staff will help train, mentor and support anyone who wants to experience it–so no particular skill level is needed to start. Bring your favorite new invention, artwork or idea and we will help you turn it into reality while you gain fabulous new skills. This is truly a community-based initiative.“
Manasota ARC is devastated by swift and historic funding cuts implemented today by Governor Scott, Agency for Persons with Disabilities and Agency for Health Care Administration.
There will be detrimental and dangerous impacts on individuals with developmental disabilities. Contrary to reports, individuals will lose services, such as their jobs, homes and caregivers, and be at-risk. Manasota ARC will continue to make the best decisions that have minimal effect on any individual with a developmental disability, however, due to these ill-conceived decisions in Tallahassee, Manasota ARC regrettably will be closing service programs within the next 30 days as the funding cuts go beyond the reported 15% provider rate reductions and actually are closer to a 40% reduction for some services.
Since 2000, Manasota ARC has offered pivotal services to individuals with developmental disabilities which have significantly improved quality of life and promoted independence and self-reliance. It is our hope that our legislators will continue to remember that these vulnerable citizens need their support and we hope these catastrophic funding cuts will be re-evaluated and funds restored.
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Kerkering Barberio & Co., Certified Public Accountants, is pleased to announce Cory N. Reeves has been promoted from Staff Accountant to In-Charge Accountant. Cory is a graduate of The Ohio State University, where he obtained degrees in Accounting and Finance. He began his career with the firm in January 2010 and his primary area of practice is in audit.
"We are glad to have Cory on our team. He is an asset to the firm and our clients," said Rob Lane, Managing Shareholder.
Kerkering, Barberio & Co. is the largest independent certified public accounting firm in Southwest Florida. The Kerkering Barberio companies offer a wide range of services to businesses, organizations, and individuals. The firm has been serving clients since 1972. Kerkering Barberio has two locations; one at 1990 Main Street, Suite 801., Sarasota, FL, and one in Lakewood Ranch at 6320 Venture Drive, Suite 203, Lakewood Ranch, FL.
Area tech advocacy group continues to increase inertia of local technology ecosystem
Suncoast Technology Forum (STF), the leading technology industry advocacy group for companies creating and developing technology solutions in Sarasota and Manatee counties is pleased to announce that Jeffrey Kratsch has been appointed to the role of Executive Director. Mr. Kratsch, a local business veteran with nearly 20 years of experience in marketing and business development in the technology and telecommunications arena, has assumed day-to-day management of the organization’s activities as of April 1st, 2011. In addition to the management and implementation of STF’s mission and member-oriented event and technology industry resource initiatives, Kratsch will serve as the organization’s primary community relations ambassador, building upon and growing ties between members, local economic development organizations, educational and other community organizations.
In addition to Kratsch’s appointment to Executive Director, Matthew Anderson has assumed the role as President of the STF executive committee. Anderson, previously an STF board Vice President and Events Chairman is also the president of Milestone Marketing Associates, a full-service marketing company in Sarasota, Florida.
Anderson, the newly elected President of Suncoast Technology Forum, stated, ”The board is thrilled to have Mr. Kratsch as our Executive Director, and I am confident that Jeff will help us grow STF membership and raise awareness about our mission to foster technology industry growth in our community.“
Mr. Kratsch brings extensive experience in small, mid-sized and large public entities; which include executive level roles in the telecommunications & technology, manufacturing and financial services industries. Following four years of undergraduate studies in psychology and philosophy, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in marketing from Indiana Wesleyan University and a Master of Science in Business Management from Oakland City University. In addition to his new role as Executive Director for STF, Jeffrey is also an adjunct professor at the State College of Florida and the Founder of a local non-profit organization focused on sustainability and energy conservation.
Embracing his new role with great enthusiasm, Kratsch stated, ”I am very excited about the opportunity to lead this organization’s efforts from a tactical perspective and further Ôaccelerate our technology economy.’ Manatee and Sarasota counties have for years been a breeding ground for technology innovation. From industry leading converged communications and telecom companies to Ôgreen tech’ to software companies creating solutions that drive business efficiency and cost savings; and even to digital media technology firms that support the marketing strategies of myriad other industries, this town’s got it all. My goal is to continue to build upon the current success of the Suncoast Technology Forum and further enhance our value to the community and our member companies by helping them connect to their markets, locally and across the nation. Our local technology industry is home grown, value-added and has created jobs all throughout the recent recession. My role at STF will be to leverage and support that trend.“
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On March 12 2011 the Palmetto Historical Park celebrated Heritage Day with the theme "Pioneer Wedding". The Heritage Station Post Office affixed a special cancellation to all letters and postcards mailed from the post office that day. The special cancellation which shows a bride and the chapel at the park was designed by local artist and resident Veenie Goodson. Mrs Goodson and Palmetto Postmaster AI Davis are shown giving the plaque to Mayor Bryant. It will remain on display in the Mayor office at City Hall.
Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice was named the sixth-best nonprofit organization to work for in the country by The NonProfit Times. The honor was announced in the national business publication’s latest issue, which featured its second annual ”50 Best Nonprofits to Work For“ list.
This nationwide survey and awards program was created last year by The NonProfit Times and Best Companies Group to identify, recognize, and honor the best places of employment in the nonprofit sector. The 2011 award for Gulf Coast Community Foundation marks the second straight year the organization has placed in the top 10 on the list. Gulf Coast was one of three organizations in Florida and the only community foundation in the country to make the 2011 ”50 Best“ list.
”This award is a testament to the forward-thinking workplace and strong staff that our Board of Directors empowers us to cultivate here,“ said Teri A Hansen, president and CEO of Gulf Coast Community Foundation. ”To make The NonProfit Times’ Ô50 Best’ list again this year also reflects how much our staff appreciates the difference they get to help make in our community.“
Organizations from across the nation entered the two-part process to determine the Best Nonprofit Organizations to Work For. The first part of the review consisted of an evaluation of each nominated organization’s workplace policies, practices, and demographics. An employee survey then measured the employee experience at each nonprofit.
Gulf Coast was recognized and profiled in the April 1, 2011, issue of The NonProfit Times. The list is available online at www.nptimes.com. In August 2010, Gulf Coast also was named one of Florida’s ”Best Companies to Work For“ by Florida Trend magazine.
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