Add one more option to Winter Haven’s specialty shoppes as the Laughing Owl Market is now open. You’ll find fine wines, wine accessories, elegant crystal, fine chocolates, fudges, cheeses, olives and other unique items in this brand new concept. Anita Strang invites you to visit Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The business is located at 329 Central Avenue downtown (former location of LaVita Dolce). You can also find them on Facebook. Check it out!

Laughing Owl Market joins other fine local shoppes specializing in spirits including Bean & Grape Cafe, Grape Expectations and Tapping the Vine.

Winter Haven:  Discover the Sh-opportunities! Buy Local!

The University of South Florida Polytechnic’s SFP Blue Sky Incubation Program will host a seminar on the Florida High Tech Corridor Council’s Matching Grants Research Program Nov. 15 at 9 a.m. at Blue Sky East, 199 Avenue B NW, Suite 240, Winter Haven (Six Ten Plaza/formerly Verizon Building). University faculty, entrepreneurs, and executives of established firms interested in discovering and commercializing new technologies should plan to attend.

Randy Berridge, president of the FHTCC, and Tracey Swartz of USF Connect will explain how area companies can take advantage of grant funds available to commercialize university research technologies. Companies can partner with university faculty to take advantage of new market opportunities. Partnerships may be available with faculty from across the University of South Florida, University of Central Florida, and University of Florida campus systems.

RSVPs are requested. For RSVPs or information, contact Eddie Hill at eddiehill@poly.usf.edu.

The Florida High Tech Corridor Council is a regional economic development initiative of the University of South Florida, the University of Central Florida and the University of Florida whose mission is to grow high tech industry and innovation in the region through research, workforce, and marketing partnerships.

USFP’s Blue Sky facilities are the first public business technology incubators in Polk County. They focus on attracting and nurturing entrepreneurial businesses in an innovative environment where USF Poly faculty, staff, and students can work with businesses to develop innovative technology. Incubated companies benefit from the proximity to and resources of a national research university as well as the assets of economic development networks.

Jessica James was one of twenty-two Polk State College students hosted by the attendees at the Chamber Foundation’s 8th Annual Economic Summit. Attendees reserve tables of six and two Polk State students join them at their table. Following the breakfast a random drawing was held and Jessica’s name was drawn to win an iPad2 courtesy of the Chamber Summit and Wal-Mart Store #968 on Cypress Gardens Boulevard.

Jessica is in her Junior year at Polk State pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She has two semesters to go! Congratulations and good luck! The 8th Annual Economic Summit was sponsored by Morgan Stanley Smith Barney and Polk State College.

(L to R) Chamber President Nelson Kirkland, Wal-Mart Store Manager Nathan Owens (presenting iPad2 to) Polk State student Jessica James, and Electronics Department Manager, Robert Barclay

Vaughn McAshan

It is rare that anyone stays with an employer for 40 years and in many ways Vaughn McAshan had several different employers … but he never left the same location. In fact, the only reason he’s not in the original building is because it burned 10 years ago!

McAshan is retiring as President of Polk County’s Bank of America network. He began his career 40 years ago in what was then the American National Bank. It would later become Barnett Bank … then NCNB … then NationsBank and finally Bank of America. The banking heritage that Vaughn has shepherded through all these years actually goes all the way back to Winter Haven’s earliest days circa 1913.

Vaughn is a past president of the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce and recipient of Winter Haven’s highest civic recognition, the Banker’s Cup. He may be retiring but he has earned his place as one of Winter Haven’s most respected business leaders.

We wish him well. Today, September 30, 2011 is Vaughn’s last day.

But – even more than an amazing building (built, I will remind you, on-time and on-budget!) – I want you to join us in affirming the incredible mission of Polk State Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School.

Yes, LEEDS certification is cool (or, in the winter months, appropriately warm).

But how much cooler is it that this high school owns a 100% graduation rate?!?!

Yes, it’s awesome to talk about the building’s state-of-the-art classrooms and labs.

But how much awesomer (yes, that is an approved word at Polk State) is it to talk about the fact that over 80% of this public high school’s graduates earn honors? Or the fact that close to half of this public high school’s graduates leave with not only a high school diploma – but also a fully accredited associate’s degree? Or the fact that students at this public high school have consistently been among the leaders not just in Polk County but in the entire state in terms of FCAT science scores?

As we like to say around here: “It’s good to be us!”

One of seven classrooms in the new Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School. The building meets "Leadership in Energy and Evnironmental Design" (LEED) certifications standards with several features intended to minimize its environmental impact.

The ceremonies were directed by Polk State Provost Dr. Sharon Miller, and included remarks from Principal Bridgette Fetters and Senior Class President Naomie Laroche. Laroche began her remarks professing “butterflies in her stomach” but gave powerful testimony to her Chain of Lakes High experience. She began her junior year at the school apprehensive as to wether she would be accepted within the college community. Those fears were immediately dispelled as she found that she was treated “as an adult and that my opinions and perspectives were respected. I found my teachers encouraged me to challenge them when I disagreed.” She also noted that “attending the school allows you to complete four years of study in two — graduating with an A.A. or A.S. degree at the same time she receives her high school diploma.” Laroche also drew appreciate laughter from the audience when she noted  that Chain of Lakes students can earn those two years of college in a public high school setting that means “two years of no tuition costs for college.”

We would agree … that is indeed “awesomer!”

Polk State also has a collegiate high school on its Lakeland campus.

Several hundred people attended the dedication filling a tent to overflowing. A large number of students and faculty were on hand as well.

Ann and Jim Stafford at Ritz announcement

Winter Haven native and nationally known comic-genius and musician Jim Stafford announced today that he will be performing at the newly restored Ritz Theatre in Winter Haven. His first production, “Jim Stafford — Home for Christmas” will run December 15 through December 18, 2011.

Stafford also announced that he will bring his show to the Ritz from February 2 through March 17, 2012. Shows will be Thursdays at 3 p.m. and Friday and Saturdays at 7 p.m. Naturally, Stafford will call his show “Puttin’ on the Ritz.”  Sharing the stage with Stafford will be his two children, 18 year-old Shea and 14 year-old G.G. who are both accomplished pianists and performers. Complete show schedules and tickets are available at JimStaffordFlorida.com and by calling 1-800-677-8533.

Welcome home Jim!

Downtown Winter Haven is home to a delicious new way to cool down with a variety of great frozen yogurt flavors and special toppings!

Yogurt Grove is a self-serve frozen yogurt experience featuring 12 rotating flavors of delicious, authentic frozen yogurt and a wide variety of toppings. All of the Yogurts are low fat and feature probiotics, which can help promote a healthy digestive and immune system. They’re also a great source of protein and calcium. Since you pay by the ounce, you are in charge. Fill your cup to the top with your favorite flavors and toppings, or show some restraint and create a smaller indulgence. It’s up to you.   Kids and adults will love creating a treat with their own personal twist!  Chris and Laura Neal welcome you to this locally-owned home for frozen treats!

Hours of Operation:

Monday – Thursday:  11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

237 Central Avenue, Downtown across from the Ritz Theatre

(P-s-s-s-st! Try the peanut butter — it’s awesome!)

Enjoy their new Sunday Brunch: 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Brunch will include complimentary mimosa upon your arrival.

Carving stations feature roast beef and pork replete with Yorkshire pudding. You’ll also enjoy a soup and salad station. A delicious way to help a great cause … our Winter Haven public schools.

Tickets for the brunch are $22 each and available at Tanner’s or the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce Lobby. $8 of every ticket will go to the Public Education Partnership project.

The Public Education Project or P.E.P. is a key recommendation of the Educational Outcomes Committee that evaluated Winter Haven schools earlier this year. It was Chaired by Doug Lockwood.

This is their first “P.E.P. Rally!” Come, bring a friend and help kickstart this important effort to improve our educational outcomes.

View of parking garage along Avenue A, NW. Facade simulates storefronts.

City Commissioners, Main Street Winter Haven and the Chamber ceremoniously (or unceremoniously) took sledgehammers to concrete to symbolically begin the construction of the long-awaited downtown parking garage.  Main Street President, Anita Strang noted, “10 years ago when I leased my first space downtown, there wasn’t a parking problem. Happily now there is and I applaud the City of Winter Haven leaders for their vision in making this parking garage a reality.” Funding for the garage was appropriated from a 2002 bond issue.

The $3 million project involves Collman & Karsky Architects, Carter Engineering and will be constructed by the Everett Whitehead & Sons. Completion date is targeted for December which is great news for the Ritz Theatre, too, as renovations there will, according to Stella Heath, “Absolutely be completed in September 2011.”

(l to r) Commissioner Steve Hunnicutt, Main Street President Anita Strang, Chamber President Cindy Price, Mayor Potter, Commissioners Nat Birdsong, J.P. Powell and Jamie Beckett.

Pictured left, City Commissioner Steven Hunnicutt, Chamber President Cindy Price and Mayor Jeff Potter prepare to “demolish” a portion of the existing structure. (Bull dozers will complete the task.)

Once again a Winter Haven-based technology expert is delivering tech connections on a national scale. Ryan Roberts served as Network Architect for the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Conference, June 26 – 29 in Philadelphia, Pa. As Network Architect, Roberts designed a wireless network at the Pennsylvania Convention Center which simultaneously supported more than 16,000 users. The project required more than six miles of network cable providing 260 Mbps of internet bandwidth.

Formerly called the National Education Computing Conference, ISTE is considered the world’s premier educational technology event. Attendees from 60 countries gathered in the 440,000 square foot venue to see the latest learning and teaching technologies with product demonstrations and special topic workshops. Roberts used more than 500 wired drops and 498 wireless radios, both Cisco and Xirrus, for the conference rooms and common areas.  Roberts’ custom network provided uninterrupted service for a group of high-tech users equivalent to the population of a city larger than Auburndale. He has more than 10 years experience in network engineering.

Winter Haven’s downtown technology sector has grown from a handful of individuals ten years ago to more that 25 companies with more than 250 employees. Downtown is also home to the USF Polytechnic Business Accelerator. Downtown features one of the largest concentrations of fiber optic internet access in the southeastern U.S. and includes Lambda Rail, a high speed internet  access able to move massive amounts of data quickly — highly desired by education and medical professionals.

Roberts is employed by ePolk, a Winter Haven-based technology company.