Florida tourism setting records
Amid what is generally considered a bland economic recovery in Florida comes news this week that March was the best month ever for tourism revenue on both Florida's east and west coast. Why? A combination of factors, from Northerners' pent-up need for some warm relaxation to an aggressive ad campaign in major chilly cities. "In a lot of ways, this was pent-up demand," suggests Chris Thompson, CEO of Visit Florida, the state's tourism marketing organization. "People got sick and tired of being sick and tired." Tampa Bay Times columnist Robert Trigaux gives his analysis with five reasons for why tourism is so hot right now.
Also see:
» South Florida breaking tourism records
» The start of a new tourism season?
» World view: Collier tourism director expects more international visitors this summer
» 'Eurobird' campaign to lure European nudists to Pasco resorts
 Marsha Faulkner designed the artwork on the wall (mixed media, recycled coffee filters on canvas). [Photo: Douglas J. Eng]  Marsha Faulkner |
Business Profiles: Interior Designers
Interior designers are profiled in this look at Florida style. We asked them what they're working on, what the hot trends are and where they find inspiration.
- Katia Bates of Innovative Creations Interior Design in Fort Lauderdale
- Debbie Sheaf of Debbie Sheaf & Associates Interior Design in Orlando
- Marsha Faulkner of Studio M Interior Design in Jacksonville.
Column: Chicken-mania is sweeping Orlando
The Orlando mayor's support for a pilot program that will allow 25 residents to keep backyard chickens is a sign of changing cultural tastes. Today, chicken-mania is sweeping Orlando, and fresh-out-of-the-coop eggs are the new status symbols. "I've been interested, but always heard chickens were outlawed in the city," said Katie Wollam who works in Research Park and lives in College Park. "I just love chickens." [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
25 valedictorians? Could happen at Vanguard High in Marion County
As many as 25 Vanguard High School seniors could end up tied for the honor of valedictorian, with each student on pace to earn all A's in 24 college-level courses to secure a perfect 5.0 weighted grade point average. Last year, 11 Vanguard seniors achieved the honor, prompting a debate that led the School Board to form a committee to look into changing the policy on how valedictorians are selected. [Source: Ocala Star-Banner]
Record-hot spring won't trigger more hurricanes
Another month of record heat and the Gulf of Mexico will feel like a hot tub by the start of hurricane season in June. However, that doesn't mean the tropics will be more active during hurricane season, said Brian LaMarre, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. "Warm temperatures in the winter really have no correlation with hurricane frequency in the summertime," LaMarre said. "It doesn't really play a significant role on hurricane forecasting because what we do look at is the overall, large-scale weather pattern."
[Video: TBO.com]
Related:
» Florida Cabinet approves hurricane shelter plan
» As part of their annual hurricane drill, Florida Power & Light will be unveiling their new Category 5-proof Command Center in Riviera Beach for business leaders and the media on Friday, May 11.
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Miami: Brickell CitiCentre construction to begin next month
Swire Properties said Wednesday that it expects to begin construction on Brickell CitiCentre in late June. “We are eager to keep the project on schedule as the public partner agreements are now the only sources of potential delay,” Christopher Gandolfo , senior vice president, development with Swire Properties said in a statement.
› Ethics panel says Fla. Rep. Vern Buchanan may have violated House rules
A congressional ethics panel has found substantial reason to believe Rep. Vern Buchanan tried to get a former business partner to lie to the Federal Election Commission in violation of federal law and a House rule. Evidence shows Buchanan, a Florida Republican who owns several auto dealerships, tried to persuade ex-partner Sam Kazran to deny he was aware of reimbursements made to Buchanan contributors.
› Sachs Communications wins industry honor in public relations
Ron Sachs Communications has won the prestigious national “Best Education/Public Service Campaign” Silver award from the industry journal Bulldog Reporter for outstanding achievement by a communications agency in a public relations campaign. Sachs received the award for the firm’s work with the Lauren’s Kids foundation and its “Walk in My Shoes” campaign, a 1,500-mile walk by Lauren Book to raise awareness about and prevent childhood sexual abuse.
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› Cutbacks at some rural Florida post offices
U.S. Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe has backed off closing low-revenue post offices. Instead, he now says many rural facilities could see reduced operations of between two and six hours. A total of 30 post offices across northeast Florida and southeast Georgia are affected. Communities would also have the option of closing a post office in one area while keeping a nearby one open full time.
› Bertram Yacht's move may bring wave of suppliers
Bertram Yacht’s decision to move its manufacturing operations from Miami to Merritt Island already has started a stream of other boating-related companies planning to open new operations or expand existing ones along the Space Coast.
› South Florida activists -- liberal and conservative -- reflect on Obama gay marriage announcement
The Miami Herald published reaction to Obama's announcement on gay marriage. Here's but one of several comments:
"What do we preach? We preach to everyone that we’re all equal. I don’t care what side of the aisle you are politically. This is an equality issue. To have the leader of the free world come out and support that we're all equal under the law and should respect our relationships, it’s a milestone day."
--Steve Adkins, president of the Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber
› U.S. Chamber targets Florida Democrats in ad push
Seeking to capitalize on the unpopularity of the federal health care law in Florida, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is launching an ad campaign in the Sunshine State that targets Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson and Democratic congressional hopefuls Lois Frankel and Alan Grayson. The Chamber won't reveal what it's spending, but their Political Director Rob Engstrom said it will be "enough resources to be able to move public opinion in a significant way."
› Not all Florida university cuts being covered by reserves
UF President Bernie Machen said the school had no plans to use its savings to cover the nearly $36.5 million reduction in funding from the state legislature. "That is not a viable option for the University of Florida," Machen said. "We spent nearly $30 million of reserves last year to avoid having to make difficult budget decisions. ... We must maintain sufficient reserves to manage unexpected expenses associated with air conditioning system failures, roof leaks or other major outages that could put buildings out of commission and cost millions of dollars."