Manatee
County’s 17th Annual Manatee Children’s Summit, the area’s biggest and
most informative expo for parents and kids, is just around the corner.
Dozens of local child and family organizations
will have booths for kids and adults, each encouraging families to make
healthy decisions as part of this year’s theme, ”Healthy Families-Happy
Families.“
The summit will be held Saturday, Aug.
27 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Manatee Convention Center, 1 Haben Blvd.,
Palmetto. The event is free and open to the public.
”This year we’re focusing on an awareness
of healthy eating and healthy habits to share with children and families,“
said Manatee County Human Services Manager Mike Neuges. ”We’ve got all
kinds of activities and booths that will promote healthy habits and alternatives
for kids.“
There will be a host of information for
parents on child care, after-school care, mentoring programs, substance
abuse prevention programs or life skills for children and programs for
special needs. Parents can also have their kids immunized for free.
There will be plenty of kid entertainment
including a rock wall, a bounce house, a speed pitch machine and children’s
karaoke all day, complete with a D.J. and other fun activities, Neuges
said. There will also be bike and pedestrian safety presentations, air
bag demonstrations and Ronald McDonald will be a guest mascot.
Last year more than 10,000 children and
adults attended the Children’s Summit.
The Children’s Summit began in 1994 to
give residents a better idea of family resources and to give children’s
service providers a way to increase community awareness of child and family
programming. Over the years, the Children’s Summit has become a great
partnership of government, nonprofit organizations and the private sector.
This year, as always, the event is funded through generous donations from
local organizations and individuals.
To volunteer or to learn more, call (941) 749-3030 and ask to speak with
someone in the Children’s Section. To learn more about the social services
Manatee County Government offers children, families and adults, visit www.mymanatee.org/community.
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The South Florida Museum welcomes area residents and visitors alike to enjoy holiday cheer at a variety of events scheduled for the 2011 holiday season.
”The Diversity of Play: Folk Toys, Dolls & Games From
Around the World“ will be presented in the South Florida
Museum’s Rincon Gallery, Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011 through Sunday, Jan. 22,
2012. This temporary exhibition takes a look at the differences in aesthetics,
form, function and qualities of early to mid 20th-Century toys from
around the globe compared to modern factory-made toys. The exhibit is included
with general admission.
A popular Family Night is scheduled for 4-8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3,
2011. Enjoy a special holiday performance by actors from Florida Studio
Theatre in the Museum’s Bishop Planetarium Theater and holiday crafts and
activities. Families can also enjoy planetarium shows throughout the evening.
Admission is half-priced after 4 p.m. ($8 for adults, $6 for children ages 4-12.
Children ages 3 and younger are free); Members of the Museum Friends program
receive free admission. No RSVP is required.
think + drink (science): ”The Star of Bethlehem?“ is an
informal science conversation scheduled for 7-9 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 14.
Join Howard Hochhalter for a seasonal think + drink and an astronomer’s
exploration of the question ”What was the Star of Bethlehem?“ Using
the planetarium’s ability to travel through time and space, the South
Florida Museum will virtually transport attendees to Jerusalem some 2,000 years
ago to look at the skies to see what the magi saw. Was the ”star“ a
comet, a supernova or something else entirely? The event is free to attend, but
RSVPs are appreciated: 941-746-4131, ext. 11 or anash@southfloridamuseum.org.
Beer, wine, soda and snacks will be available for purchase.
”Holiday Music Magic“ will be presented in the
Museum’s Bishop Planetarium Theater, Friday, Nov. 25 – Saturday,
Dec. 24, 2011. Visitors of all ages will enjoy holiday hits from the past and
present with this music entertainment show featuring favorite holiday songs.
The soundtrack is visually choreographed with 3-D artistic animation and
all-dome scenery. The special screenings will be featured at 2:15 p.m.
Tuesday-Friday, noon on Saturdays and 12:30 p.m. on Sundays, Nov. 25 –
Dec. 24 only.
Celebrate the start of the winter season with chilly tales complete with snow,
ice, romance, thrills and laughs. The Museum’s popular Film Fridays program
will offer ”Winter Stories“ at 6 p.m. each Friday, Dec. 2-16,
2011:
December 2: ”Desk Set“ – 1957, Not Rated, 103 minutes.
Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy star in a battle of the sexes set during the holiday season. The comedy vets exchange barbs and witty dialogue as an engineer (Tracy) set on computerizing a TV network’s research department and the sharp-as-a-tack research librarian (Hepburn) who is set on stopping him in his tracks. Things heat up as their battle turns to romance.
December 9: ”Fargo“
– 1996, Rated R, 97 minutes.
It doesn’t get any colder than this! The Coen Brothers offer up a violent
take on the black comedy set in the icy bleakness of winter in Minnesota and
the Dakotas. A car salesman’s ill-formed scheme to get out of a financial
jam goes gruesomely awry as the local sheriff (played with comedic brilliance
by Frances McDormand) is hot on his trail. Not for the faint of heart!
December 16: ”Groundhog Day“ – 1993, Rated PG,
103 minutes.
Bill Murray is stuck in the wintery landscape of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania as
a miserable weatherman who is forced to relive one of his least favorite times
– the annual Groundhog Day Festival – again and againÉand
again. Will he ever figure out how to dislodge himself from his karmic
”rerun?“ This comedy gem has it all – laughter, romance,
adventure and heart.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for all Film Fridays events and guests are welcome to
enjoy a selection of beer, wine, soft drinks and snacks available for purchase
prior to and during the screening. Tickets to each film are $5/person for
General Admission with discounted rates of $3/person for Museum Members.
Sweaters or jackets are recommended as the theater may be cold. Seating is
limited and reservations are strongly recommended: 941-746-4131, ext. 27 or jschubick@southfloridamuseum.org.
A Winter 2010 Camp: Florida Tourist 101 will be
available for children currently enrolled in grades 2-5 during the winter
school break, Monday, Dec. 26 through Friday, Dec. 30. Campers will virtually
travel to many of Florida's ”best“ tourist attractions–from
the out-of-the-way attractions to those we all know, featuring alligators,
space shuttles, caverns and a mouse–all from the comfort of the
Museum’s classroom. Best of all, the camp will utilize a temporary
exhibition in the Museum’s East Gallery, ”Silver Springs: The
Underwater Photography of Bruce Mozert“ featuring black and white
photographs depicting the photographer’s innovative work from Silver
Springs. Campers are invited to dress in ”tourist garb“ for the
virtual tour of the Sunshine State’s attractions. The five-day camp takes
place from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. each day, and costs $175/session for Museum Members,
$155/session for each additional camper for Museum Members and $200/session for
Non-Members.
The South Florida Museum’s Gift Shop offers a variety of gifts for
aspiring archeologists, stargazers, the scientifically-minded,
environmentally-conscious and science-curious friends and family on holiday
shopping lists. The unique store features fossils, gems, books, apparel,
manatee souvenirs and ornaments. No admission fee is required to shop. The
store is open regular Museum hours.
South Florida Museum Friends Membership is a great holiday gift.
Gift Memberships start at $35 for Student Memberships, $50 for Individual
Memberships or $75 for the basic Family Membership level and are available for
purchase via phone or at the Museum.
All programs will take place at the South Florida Museum, 201 10th
Street West in downtown Bradenton. For more information about each event, call
941-746-4131 or visit www.southfloridamuseum.org.
Special note: The Museum will be closed on Saturday, Nov. 5, Thanksgiving
Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and March 12, 2012.
The Manatee Chamber of Commerce will launch a national search for a new executive director to lead the Chamber’s Economic Development Council (EDC) following the resignation of Eric Basinger, who has accepted a position in Alabama. EDC Associate Director Sharon Hillstrom will serve as interim director during the search, said Chamber President Bob Bartz.
”This is an exciting time in Manatee County’s efforts to create a more diverse local economy, and we are sure to attract a number of highly qualified candidates,“ said Beth Green, EDC chair. ”Meantime, Sharon Hillstrom is a capable leader who will maintain momentum in the EDC’s job-recruitment program and expansion services for local, existing businesses.“
Basinger, who moved from Alabama to join the Manatee EDC in June 2009, is relocating to Ozark, Ala., to serve as executive director of the Ozark-Dale County Economic Development Corp.
”The Manatee Chamber and EDC leadership have a great vision for the future of the community, and have provided tremendous support for the EDC’s work on job creation and retention. The EDC staff is second to none and possesses the skills to continue to grow the local economy,“ Basinger said. ”I will miss the Manatee County community as my wife and I return to Alabama to be near our families.“
”Eric performed a valuable service for the Manatee County community in leading the EDC staff during the past two years, and we wish him continued success,“ Bartz said.
Basinger’s departure will not affect plans for the EDC, currently a Chamber division, to become an independent entity in 2012. The reorganization process is continuing, Green said.
Potential candidates may monitor the EDC’s website (www.ManateeEDC.com) for further details.
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Four student staff members of the Chiles Restaurant Group were recently awarded scholarships as part of the partnership between the Chiles Group and the Manatee Community Foundation’s scholarship program. The scholarship review committee comprised of community volunteers reviewed scholarship applications during the week of August 1st, 2011.
Recommended to receive the Chiles Restaurant Group Scholarships were Sandbar employees Stacy Ritchie, $1,500; Heather Bell, $1,500; and Ted Louloudes, $500. Colleen Rygiel was awarded a $1,500 scholarship as an employee of the Mar Vista restaurant. After receiving official notice of their selection from the Manatee Community Foundation all the candidates expressed their gratitude and appreciation for the opportunity to obtain a scholarship award through the Chiles Restaurant Group.
Ed Chiles began the scholarship program in 2010 and to date has awarded a total of $9,000 in scholarships to students who are employees of one of the Chiles Group restaurants. Chiles states, ”We are extremely proud of our student employees’ commitment to improving their education and applaud the effort they put forth as they balance work and school. It is a privilege to assist them with their efforts. We look forward to watching all of our scholarship recipients as they progress and move forward into their chosen careers.“ Chiles also stated, ”It has been a pleasure to work with the Manatee Community Foundation to accomplish one of our philanthropic objectives. They have taken much of the work out of this and we would highly recommend them to any company or individual as a conduit to achieving their philanthropic goals.“
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The Eye Associates warmly welcomes John Brian Foster, MD, who recently joined the practice. He is a fellowship trained cornea specialist, experienced in corneal transplants and DSAEK for Fuch’s Endothelial Dystrophy, DALK for keratoconus, LASIK, implantable collamer lenses, clear lens extraction, dry eye treatment and cataract surgery.
After graduating with honors from the University of Florida, Dr. Foster obtained his Doctorate of Medicine from the Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia, where he also served his internship. He went on to Wake Forest University Eye Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where he completed his ophthalmology residency. His corneal fellowship training was accomplished at the Eye Consultants of Atlanta, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Dr. Foster’s academic achievements resulted in his being awarded numerous honors, notably the Resident Excellence Award from the ASCRS Foundation, the Joseph B. Whitehead Surgery Scholarship, and the Best Poster Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He was Phi Beta Kappa and on the President’s Honor Roll at the University of Florida.
As one of only a few surgeons in the country who is experienced and skilled in DALK and DSAEK, the latest modern corneal transplant techniques, Dr. Foster is a welcome addition to the local medical community. He has also spoken at national meetings on modern transplant surgery and published papers in several peer-reviewed journals. In addition, he has made several medical mission trips with Project Echo to Honduras and outlying islands. At home, his community involvement includes volunteer work with other humanitarian organizations, such as Student Sight Savers, and Habitat For Humanity.
”Dr. Foster is an outstanding addition to our practice and our community“ said Dr. Harris Silverman, who founded The Eye Associates in 1980. ”His mastery of the very latest surgical advancements in his field represents a great asset for our patients.“
The Eye Associates has six locations with nine medical Ophthalmologists covering the specialties of Cataracts, Cornea, Glaucoma, Retina, LASIK, Oculo-Plastics and Cosmetic Surgery. Five Board Certified Optometrists are on staff for routine primary eyecare, contact lenses and computer vision. A Board Certified Dermatologist and a Board Certified Hearing Instrument Specialist are also part of the Eye Associates team, who promise the community ”Sight For Life and So Much More.“ New Patients are always most cordially welcome.
Manasota SCORE is introducing the Simple Steps for Growing Your Businessª program. The goal is to make the growth process easier and less challenging by offering various ways to get assistance, customized for the needs of the small business owners in our communities.
There are 4 components to Simple Steps for Growing Your Business. The program is completely customizable; anyone can participate in any (or all) aspects of the program. Business owners can set their own pace, taking part whenever their schedule permits.
Free Business Assessment. Every business has strengths and weaknesses. Once a detailed examination of the business is complete, small business owners will be able to identify areas for growth and improvement, develop an action plan, and find resources to help them take their business to the next level.
Free Mentoring. Small Business owners can get help from an experienced mentor, someone who’s been through what they are experiencing now. Our mentors will work with the entrepreneur, one-on one, to develop a customized growth plan for their business.
Roundtables. Small Business owners can meet and network with like-minded entrepreneurs in the Manatee and Sarasota Counties. Together they can forge relationships, create opportunities, and solve common challenges.
Workshops. Small Business owners can learn how to transition their business from startup to growth mode. They will get information and tips on business fundamentals, key business tools, and sales and growth strategies. They can attend the workshops that will help them the most, based on their assessment results and mentor recommendations.
The cost of each workshop is $25 payable by credit card when registering online or by check at the workshop. The following is a schedule of workshops provided for the upcoming season.
Mondays at Argosy University, 5250 17th Street, Sarasota at 5:30-8:30pm
9/12/11 Growing Your Sales
10/10/11 Financial Management
Saturdays at ComCenters, 9040 Town Center Parkway, Lakewood Ranch, at 9am- Noon
10/15/11 Marketing Your Business
10/22/11 Managing Operations
The Simple Steps for Growing Your Business workshops are the latest in a variety of seminars held by Manasota SCORE to assist local business owners. Additional seminars addressing Small Business Growth include: Web Site Basics, Internet Marketing & Social Media, and Building a Business Plan.
Since 1964, SCORE has helped more than 8.5 million aspiring entrepreneurs. Each year, SCORE provides small business mentoring and workshops to more than 375,000 new and growing small businesses. More than 13,000 business experts volunteer as mentors in 364 chapters serving local communities with entrepreneur education to help grow 1 million small businesses.
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Shinn & Company LLC, Certified Public Accountants and Consultants, is pleased to announce that Tim Gruters has joined the firm as staff accountant. Tim is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the State of Florida with both audit and tax experience. He is a graduate of Franciscan University with a Bachelors of Science degree in Business Administration and completed his fifth year of accounting at the University of South Florida.
Old Navy, opening at University Town Center, will donate 5% of the total proceeds from weekend sales beginning August 26 through August 28 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County.
Old Navy Sales & Training Manager, Erica Rudin, is planning a fashion show on Friday evening and on Saturday, August 27 will feature local talent for entertainment including the Roy McBean Club Drum Line.
The donations will help pay for after-school scholarships for children and youth in our community who need a Boys & Girls’ after-school program most.
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