News
2007 Economic Census
There are still some businesses in our area that have not yet completed their 2007 Economic Census forms. Missing the February 12 due date shouldn't relieve your sense of urgency for getting the forms in. Many very small businesses were not sent a form, and no action is required from them, but businesses that received a form in December are required by law (Title 13, U.S. Code) to complete and return it. Even though the due date has passed, forms may still be turned in.
If you are having difficulty completing the forms, you can get help or request a 30-day extension at business.census or by calling 1.800.233.6136.
If you need more information about the 2007 Economic Census, please contact Robert Marske or Laurie Torene at 1.877.790.1876.
Floridians for Smarter Growth
Floridians for Smarter Growth (FSG) prevailed in defeating the anti-growth amendment so-called "Hometown Democracy". As many know, this "vote on everything" amendment will not be on the 2008 general election ballot.
The Pensacola Chamber partnered with other local organizations in our area and joined Floridians for Smarter Growth to defeat the paid signature drive. We wish to thank you, our membership, for doing your part to assist our efforts. Working with FSG, we are part of an alliance of 101 Florida organizations, 27 county committees and hundreds of volunteers. Thank you for your support. Looking to the future, it is likely that we'll see this proposal come back in 2010, so we must remain vigilant and continue building alliances that promote the growth and development of our state. Please contact Natalie Prim with any questions.
We'll keep the Chamber membership updated on legislative issues as the next State legislative session approaches.
New Secretary of Health Care Administration
Governor Charlie Crist appointed DBPR Secretary Holly Benson as the new Secretary for the Agency for Health Care Administration. Secretary Benson previously served in the Florida House of Representatives as Pensacola's District 3 Representative. Secretary Benson helped write a Medicaid overhaul bill while serving in the House, which is one of the programs she will now oversee.
Federal Legislative Updates
• Economic Stimulus
Late last month, House leaders from both parties quickly negotiated an economic stimulus package with the White House and passed it through their chamber on an overwhelming 385-35 vote. The centerpiece of the $146 billion package is rebates of as much as $600 for individuals earning up to $75,000 ($1,200 for couples earning up to $150,000) which phase out for higher income earners.
• Health Care Reform
Supporters of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) won an 18-month extension of the program through March 2009 late last year, but weren't happy. They had hoped to add $35 billion to the program over the next five years, more than doubling its funding. They would pay for it by increasing the federal excise tax on cigarettes from $0.39 a pack to $1.00 a pack. Supporters had been engaged in long-running discussions with a group of House Republicans centered on ensuring that the focus of the program remains on low income children and not those of greater means or even adults. Those discussions didn't produce results. Significant change in health care policy will probably be on hold until a new president and new Congress address the issue next year.
• Highways and Transit
The National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission released its recommendations last month, and they were dramatic. Nine of the 12 members of the commission, which was established in the last highway bill, feel that we should spend $225 billion annually on surface transportation over the next 50 years instead of the $85 billion we're currently spending. They recommend increasing the federal gas tax by 25-40 cents a gallon over the next five years to pay for it, along with other new fees. Even at current spending levels the highway trust fund could come up $5 billion short next year. All of this helps set the backdrop for the next multi-year rewrite of the highway and transit bill which comes up in 2009.
• Intellectual Property
Late last year, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Conyers (D-MI) introduced H.R. 4279, the "Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2007," with a bipartisan list of co-sponsors. It would strengthen IP laws, increase resources devoted to fighting IP crimes and improve coordination of federal efforts in this vital area. The bill is expected to be marked up in subcommittee early next month. Intellectual Property is an area where America enjoys a huge competitive advantage in the world economy, but an advantage that is eroded in the worst ways by IP crimes. Estimated losses to U.S. companies and workers are staggering: $250 billion annually and 750,000 jobs. H.R. 4279 is an important step in fighting back.
Pensacola Historic Building Inspires Films
A building in Northwest Florida has played many roles — in life and on the big screen. The Old Sacred Heart Hospital, originally known as Pensacola Hospital, was Florida's first Catholic hospital when it opened in 1915. Today it houses a school, several restaurants, private offices and a community theater. The building is also attracting students at Florida State University's film school, where it has spurred creativity and been transformed into a morgue, urban loft and now, an insane asylum.
The Late Gothic Revival building is a landmark in Pensacola, standing grandly on one of the city's main thoroughfares 12th Avenue. One of the most advanced health care facilities of the time, the former Sacred Heart Hospital once attracted doctors from all over the state. Today, visitors feel the magnificence of the stone building as they walk up the wide staircase and through the Gothic arched entrance and elaborate Tudor-style, wooden entry doors. For graduate students at FSU, the building seems to possess the same kind of power, calling three different classes to film there.
"Stories about the Old Sacred Heart Hospital have been passed down from class to class, so the entire FSU film school is aware of its great features and unique character," said Tom Roush, film commissioner for the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce. "It has been scouted by every class for the past five years."
"We have so many diverse locations in Pensacola that inspire the imagination of creative people and evoke different feelings to each individual," added Roush. "Our beaches have inspired Fox's drama ‘Prison Break,’ the thriller ‘Jaws 2’ and the black comedy ‘Beach Party at the Threshold of Hell.’"
The film "3 A.M.," shot in 2003, portrayed Old Sacred Heart Hospital as a morgue and "Lamia," shot in 2004, featured the building as an artist's loft. "Asylum," which will be shot in the building for six days this spring, will portray the building as an insane asylum in a psychological thriller produced by graduate student Andrew Bartels and directed by Frederick Snyder.
FSU is one of the top five film schools in the world. The master's program produces five films per year. Though the films range in length from 15 to 20 minutes, they are shot on 16mm film with the option of 35mm film with a full crew, professional gear and quality production values, just like a mainstream studio feature. "3 A.M." and "Lamia" earned several awards after screening at numerous film festivals across the country.
The Old Sacred Heart hospital is owned by Tower East Group, Inc, whose principal owner is Stephen F. Ritz. Ritz bought the building in 1980 to rescue it from disrepair and abandonment. His family and friends have spent years cleaning the 86,000-square foot building. Using early photographs as a guide, they worked tirelessly to restore the architectural treasure. Thanks to their hard work, the building is on the National Register of Historic Places, the only hospital in the Panhandle with that distinction.
Congratulations to Look Who Just Blouin Photography, February's Small Business of the Month!
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Chamber Events
Business After Hours
This month, Business After Hours is being held on February 21st at Finnegan's Wake Irish Pub located at 2100 W. Nine Mile Road in Pensacola.
Business After Hours is held the third Thursday of each month from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Businesses are able to showcase their establishments to the business community while guests make valuable contacts. Admission is free with one business card. Make this gathering a perfect time to build new business relationships and strengthen established ones. No reservations are required.
Business Leader's Trip to China Pre-Tour Meeting
Mark your calendars for February 25, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. Our Business Leader's Trip to China will be briefed at New World Landing's "French Room" on that night. This meeting will encompass an important pre-tour meeting on our upcoming trip on October 19-28, 2008.
This meeting will feature an opportunity to meet and ask questions of our tour operator, Citslinc International. The trip price of $1,599 includes round trip airfare from Los Angeles International Airport to Beijing on either Air China or China Eastern Air, 4 or 5 star hotel accommodations, deluxe tour buses, English speaking tour guides, three meals a day and fees for all attractions and is based on double occupancy. For more information, please click on registration or visit Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce.com and scroll down to "Trip to China". Contact: Natalie Prim or Connie Slaughter at 850.438.4081.
Chamber Series Presented by Spherion - Professional Recruiting & Staffing: The Power of Networking
On February 26, Elwyn Guernsey of Guernsey and Associates will present an educational seminar titled "Small Business Big Mistakes - Financial Strategies to Help Preserve Your Business." The program will begin at 11:30 a.m. and conclude at 1 p.m.
The Chamber Series is a program of educational seminars that are offered annually from October through June. They are an effective, low cost way to educate yourself and your employees on a number of topics vital to the survival of your business. All seminars take place at the Chamber. The cost to attend Chamber Series Seminars is $10 for Chamber Members and includes lunch. Please RSVP to Azalea Webb or call 850.438.4081. Space is limited.
2008 Business EXPO ~ March 20
Get your booth today! Booths are selling out fast!
The area's only business-to-business EXPO catering to local business professionals, small business owners, as well as the business community at large is coming up soon. At the EXPO, sponsored by the Chamber, you are sure to reach your target market and increase the visibility of your company or products among area business professionals. Admission is free.
Booth sales and sponsorships are now available for this exciting event to be held at the Pensacola Civic Center. Please contact Nicole Webb or call 850.438.4081 for more information.
Chamber Golf Tournament ~ Save the Date
April 10
Tiger Point Country Club.
Sponsors:
Presented by Landrum Companies.
HOLE-IN-ONE by Sandy Sansing.
Small Business Week ~ Save the date
April 21-25
Small Business of the Year Luncheon
Tuesday, April 22 at 11:30
Angus Seafood - Meats - Spirits.
Member News
Inaugural Honor Flight
On April 30, 2008, 100 World War II Veterans from the First Congressional District will be taken, free of charge, to Washington D.C. to see their World War II memorial.
Spearheaded by Congressman Jeff Miller, Emerald Coast Honor Flight, a non-profit volunteer organization comprised of regional business leaders, active and retired military personnel, was created to honor our local World War II Veterans. Emerald Coast Honor Flight is organizing a one-day trip to Washington, DC, to give these brave men and women the opportunity to visit their World War II Memorial for the first time.
"I'm truly honored to serve with the Emerald Coast Honor Flight team. Our goal is to afford all our surviving WWII Veterans the opportunity to experienced this nation's gesture of gratitude for their service and sacrifice in securing a safe and free country for generations of Americans," said Lt Col David S. Glassman.
The World War II Memorial was completed 60 years after the end of the war, and for many it was too late. Our World War II veterans deserve to see their memorial, and Emerald Coast Honor Flight is faced with the very real challenge of getting these heroes to their memorial in time. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs and Arlington National Cemetery statistics we are losing approximately 1,200 World War II veterans each day. Thousands are on waiting list for various honor flights around the country and Emerald Coast Honor Flight is asking the public for your support to help make the dreams of our World War II veterans come true.
Currently, Emerald Coast Honor Flight is accepting applications from World War II veterans who reside in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Washington and Holmes counties. Top priority will be given to senior World War II Veterans and those other veterans that may be terminally ill. Applications may be obtained on-line at www.emeraldcoasthonorflight.com or by visiting Baptist Hospital's Senior Services Program located at 1301 West Moreno Street, Pensacola, FL 32501. The Senior Service office has volunteers able to assist veterans complete the application. Applications must be received by March 1, 2008 for consideration.
Space is limited, consequently spouses or other family members will not be able to accompany the veteran. Emerald Coast Honor Flight will provide ample volunteers and guardians to assist with all phases of the trip. Information on how to volunteer or attend as a guardian can be found on the Emerald Coast Honor Flight website. However, it is important to note, guardians must pay their own way.This trip is made possible by the generous donations from individuals and corporate sponsors so there is absolutely no cost for the veteran to travel. Platinum sponsors, Baptist Health Care and Humana Veterans Healthcare Services have already committed to making this dream come true. Individual and corporate sponsorships are still needed. Donations may be mailed to: Marine Corps League Honor Flight, PO Box 86, Pensacola, FL 32591-0086.
To volunteer or obtain more information, please visit www.emeraldcoasthonorflight.com
Source: Emerald Coast Honor Flight
"Let's Talk Ideas" Seminar
If you have ideas, let's talk about how to protect those ideas at the very beginning, for free! Let's talk about patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets and ways to commercialize and idea.
Nevin Shaffer, licensed patent attorney, board certified intellectual property law specialist and author of Protect Your Great Ideas for Free, presents a fun, fast and fact-filled seminar designed to entertain and educate.
The seminar will be held on February 28, 2008 from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. at the Andrew's Institute. The program will be hosted in the Research and Education Building, Classroom B. The Andrew's Institute is located at 1020 Gulf Breeze Parkway in Gulf Breeze, Florida.
The cost to attend the event is $100. Seminar materials will be provided. Shaffer's book will also be available.
Nevin Shaffer can be contacted at 850.934.4124 for reservations.
Life Skills Partners Meeting
Join the Life Skills Center of Escambia County on Wednesday February 20 from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. for a V.I.P. (Very Important Partners) Meeting. The meeting will be held at the Life Skills Center located at 1201 North H Street in Pensacola. (This is the old A.A. Dixon Elementary School building.)
Life Skills Center is a national tuition-free charter high school assisting Escambia County residents ages 16-21 to earn their high school diploma by working at their own pace for just four hours a day. The curriculum is computerized and direct instruction is provided by certified teachers. Students are supported by a full-time Enrollment Specialist, Employability Specialist and Family Advocate.
The February 20th meeting is aimed at developing ideas for making a difference in the lives of our youth and their families.
If you are unable to attend on February 20, we ask that you please contact yufonda.kinsler@lifeskillscenters.com or call 850.430.4592 extension 106.
Lozier, Thames & Frazier Announce Changes
Crystal C. Spencer has joined Lozier, Thames & Frazier as a partner. The firm will now be known as Lozier, Thames, Frazier, Spencer & Schlieter, P.A.
Spencer was most recently a shareholder with Pensacola law firm Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon and is a past assistant state attorney. She holds the qualifications of Florida Supreme Court Certified (Circuit and County Court) Mediator and Florida Supreme Court Qualified Arbitrator. Her practice will focus on medical malpractice, personal injury, workers' compensation and mediation.
"The addition of Crystal Spencer is a reflection of our continued growth in several key practice areas," said Dan Lozier, firm founder and partner. "We are fortunate to bring her more than 22 years of experience to our firm and to expand the services we can provide to our clients."
Spencer holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Kentucky and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law. She is a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America and is a member of Florida Workers' Advocates, the Workers' Compensation Section of the Florida Bar and the Dispute Resolution Section of the American Bar Association. Among other distinctions she was named "Outstanding Woman in Business 2007" by the Pensacola Business Journal and "Florida Super Lawyer-Securities Litigation" in 2006.
A volunteer with numerous organizations, Spencer has received multiple awards for community service. She currently serves on the Greater Southeast Affiliate Board for the American Heart Association and the Community Board of the Escambia/Santa Rosa division of the American Heart Association. She was recently elected chair of the City of Pensacola Charter Review Commission.
Omni Home Care Ranked in Top 500
Omni Home Care was ranked in the Top 500 of 8,000 Home Health Providers in the Country for 2007. Omni has been named to the 2007 HomeCare Elite, a compilation of the most successful Medicare-certified home health care providers in the United States. This annual review identifies the Top 500 of agencies, ranked by an analysis of performance measures in quality outcomes, quality improvement and financial performance.
"We applaud the success of all the providers named the 2007 HomeCare Elite," said Bill Bassett, Senior Director of Market Strategy at OCS, Inc. "Being noted as one of the top performers in the nation in this very competitive environment shows that Omni Home Care is dedicated to quality and performance."
Omni Home Care's, Kelley McGowin, Administrator, credit's their clinicians' experience, dedication, loyalty and continued teamwork for the company's ability to rank as one of the HomeCare Elite. McGowin said, "Omni has a very special way of delivering quality care to our patients and our outcomes also demonstrate our commitment."
The 2007 HomeCare Elite is the only performance recognition of its kind in the home health industry. The 2007 HomeCare Elite is brought to the industry by OCS, Inc., the leading provider of healthcare informatics and DecisionHealth, publisher of home care's most respected independent newsletter home health line. In addition to the Top 500 of providers, the 2007 Homecare Elite also indicates those providers ranked in the Top 25% and Top 100 of providers nationwide. The data used for this analysis was compiled from publicly available information. The entire list of the 2007 HomeCare Elite agencies can be viewed by visiting the OCS web site at www.ocsys.com.