Community Bulletin and Business Briefs

Community Bulletin

A Gift for Teaching President Jane Thompson and Bright House Networks employee volunteers donated 420 backpacks on Sept. 14 to the organization that provides school teachers with free school supplies in Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties. Bright House Networks has donated more than 1,600 backpacks filled with school supplies in the past five years to A Gift For Teaching.

The Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center in Maitland has just received word that the Community Foundation of Central Florida has approved a $75,900-grant for its new anti-bullying initiative. The project, created in partnership with numerous community groups, including the public school districts in Orange, Osceola and Seminole Counties, the Diocese of Orlando, UCF Office of Diversity Initiatives, and Equality Florida, will begin in Orange County schools in December.

Panera Bread’s signature Pink Ribbon Bagel returns this October for its 10th year to help support the fight against breast cancer. On Oct. 1, 100 percent of the proceeds from every Pink Ribbon bagel sold will be donated to MD Anderson. Panera Bread has also partnered with Breast Care Specialist and will be giving away 1,550 free mammograms (50 in each bakery-cafe) on Oct. 1. The total value of the mammograms is $215,000. During the rest of October, all local bakery-cafes will donate 25 cents from each Pink Ribbon Bagel sold to MD Anderson. Visit www.panerabread.com for details.

Oct. 4 is the deadline for people registering as new voters in the State of Florida who want to participate in the Nov. 2 election. A special website, www.orangevotes2010.com, has been created so voters can verify information on their registration record and obtain other election-related information. The Elections Office is located at 119 W. Kaley St. in Orlando. The office can also be reached by calling 407-36-VOTE (8683) or by visiting ocfelections.com

BRIO Tuscan Grille Winter Park showed their appreciation for local firefighters and police by participating in BRIO’s nationwide “Station Drop Off” on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 6. Tito Pina, General Manager of BRIO Tuscan Grille Winter Park, and staff dropped off large pans of food for the employees at the Winter Park Police Department and the Winter Park Fire Department.

Golden Retriever Rescue of Mid-Florida is seeking foster homes to provide temporary care while goldens are awaiting adoption. Anyone interested can read more about the foster program at www.grrmf.org, by e-mailing [email protected] or by calling 407-332-2840.

On Friday, Sept. 10, “Exquisite Harmony; Elizabeth St. Hiliare Nelson” works in collage opened at the Maitland Art Center. Maitland String Quartet and member of Maitland Performing Arts entertained the crowd.

Business Briefs

Daniel O’Keefe, shareholder of Moore Stephens Lovelace, P.A. (MSL), has been elected to serve as vice chair on the Foundation for Seminole State College Board of Directors.

The Black Business Investment Fund of Central Florida (BBIF) will launch their newest initiative, the Micro Loan Fund, on Oct. 1. It provides small, short-term loans to start-up small and minority businesses located in Central Florida. Visit www.BBIF.com

Jewett Orthopaedic Clinic is pleased to announce that primary care sports medicine specialist William Felix-Rodriguez, M.D., and spine surgeon Philip A. Meinhardt, M.D., have joined its medical team.

Foley and Lardner LLP announced that 168 of its attorneys from 15 offices have been recognized in the 2011 Best Lawyers in America guide.

Charles D. Wilder, Founder of the Estate Planning and Legacy Law Center PLC will be listed in 2011 as one of the Best Lawyers in America by Best Lawyers.

NAI Realvest recently negotiated a new 49-month lease agreement at Maitland Court, 1015 Maitland Center Commons Blvd.

Mercantile Capital Corporation expects to finance more than $140 million in total projects in 2010.

Florida Home Companion LLC based in Maitland, is proud to announce that it has upgraded its licensing and is now a nurse registry and offers hands-on, skilled care for its patients as well as its home companion services. Visit www.floridahomecompanion.com or call 407-478-5469.

FBC Bancorp Inc. recently completed the merger of Orlando-based Florida Bank of Commerce and Melbourne-based Prime Bank.

Attorney Mark P. Lang of Winter Park has been elected to the Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers in the United States.

Allen, Dyer, Doppelt, Milbrath and Gilchrist is pleased to announce that one of their Orlando attorneys, Ava K. Doppelt, will moderate a panel discussion on federal bench issues at the second annual Orange County Bar Association Bench Bar Conference on Oct. 7.