Love Florida Artist Jean Sanders

STUART – We love the artist Jean Sanders, who lives on Florida’s East Coast.

She just won First Prize at the 5th Annual Juried Show at the Elliott Museum. Check out her blog at Jeansanders.blogspot.com or her website at fineartdailytoday.com.

Get Some Jacks In Palm Beach

Leather sandals are iconic Florida wear, says style maven Bunny Tomerlin

PALM BEACH – Jackie Kennedy made them famous, and today, they are the iconic footwear of Palm beach. They are the leather sandals called Jacks, or Jack Rogers. While Jackie was in Palm Beach, she wore Jack Rogers’ leather “Navajo” sandals.

Today, Jack Rogers sandals are made in Hallandale. In West Palm Beach, there are similar sandals that are made by Stephen Bonanno Sandals.

Style maven Bunny Tomerlin says on her blog, and we believe it, that her favorite sandals are the Emma Monogram Sandals. Says Tomerlin, “Every girl and woman should have a pair of Bonanno’s. A Palm Beach classic.”

There are other Florida sandals. Also born in Palm Beach, Lilly Pulitzer sells sandals. There is also the shoe company Bernardo, which sells a “Miami” style thong.

• Jack Rogers Shoes, 16201 NW 49th Ave., Miami, FL, 33014, (954) 455-5021
• Stephen Bonanno Sandals, TTW Inc., 882 SW Enterprise Way, Stuart, FL 34997; (772) 219-7629, 866-313-FEET (3338), www.SBsandals.com

Briefly: Certified Vacations Changes Continental Relationship

FORT LAUDERDALE – Certified Vacations Group, Inc. announced in a Business Wire release that it has agreed with Continental Airlines to discontinue operating the Continental Airlines Vacations brand effective November 1, 2008. The move enables an early start to a new Tour Operator Agreement reached between the two companies in April 2008 that makes Continental air service available via Certified’s private-label Future Vacations brand for the first time, according to Nick Davison, President of Certified Vacations. The addition of Continental brings to 18 the total number of airlines featured in the Future Vacations product line.

Other News

Barnes & Noble, Inc., the world’s largest bookseller, will open a new bookstore on October 30 in The Shops at Wiregrass at 28152 Paseo Drive, Wesley Chapel, Florida.

Philanthropist and community leader Adrienne Arsht committed to give a five million dollar donation to support key initiatives at University of Miami. The gift includes two million for The University of Miami’s (UM) Ethics Programs, adding to an earlier one million dollar donation and constituting the largest gift for ethics in Florida history; and one million dollars to the Hope for Vision program of The Bascom Palmer Eye Institute.

Briefly: Miami Dade Launches Center For Service Excellence

From a press release

MIAMI - Miami Dade College announced the launch of its brand new Center for Service Excellence at the annual meeting of the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau Thurs., Oct. 16, 2008 at the Fillmore Miami Beach. Kendall Campus president Dr. Gregory Gray spoke to the audience which included the mayors of Miami-Dade County and Miami Beach.

“With the present economic conditions, service excellence is more important than ever for businesses seeking to grow and succeed. Miami Dade College has been helping businesses with their corporate training needs for nearly 50 years and today’s announcement truly takes us to a new level,” said Dr. Gray, quoted in a Business Wire press release.

“This is a comprehensive, consistent approach targeted at the specific opportunities within each unique organization. Action plans are developed by team members creating sustainability, empowerment and unity,” added Julie Grimes, owner’s representative for the Doubletree Grand Hotel in Miami, which is a “founding partner” organization in this endeavor.

An initiative of MDC’s School of Business and School of Community Education at Kendall Campus, the Center for Service Excellence provides training to all employment levels in organizations. Courses, seminars and certificate programs include Introduction to Customer Service Excellence, Customer Assistance Technology, Conversational Spanish for the Service Industry, Recovering from Negative Encounters and Changing the Customer Service Culture.

CSE partner “founding partners” include the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, Chamber South, the West Kendall Business Association, the Doral Business Council, the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators and Developers, the South Florida Center for Financial Training and the Doubletree Grand Hotel.

“It is truly impressive that Miami Dade College has created the Center for Service Excellence. Finally, a great institution has taken the bull by the horns to address a great need in the South Florida community. Congratulations and thank you!” stated Jorge F. Peña, chairman of the West Kendall Business Association.

For information, call 305-237-0662 or 305-237-0684 or www.mdc.edu.

Floridiana: Sunny Florida Dairy

TAMPA – When you are in Florida, try some of our regional dairies.

In Tampa and in other destinations, look for the Sunny Florida Dairy, which is a popular regional milk brand. They distribute across Florida.

Sunny Florida is the largest independent dairy in Florida, founded by the Guagliardo family in 1911. It has a long relationship with the legendary Columbia restaurant of Tampa.

Briefly: JetBlue Adds Florida-to-Nassau Service

NEW YORK, Oct 16, 2008  – JetBlue Airways (Nasdaq:JBLU) today announces plans to expand its footprint in the Caribbean with new daily nonstop service from Orlando International Airport to Nassau and twice daily service from Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport to Nassau. All flights will begin on February 1, 2009, pending receipt of government operating authority.

“Our close proximity to the U.S. is just one of the many advantages which make the Islands of the Bahamas a preferred vacation destination. JetBlue’s new nonstop jet service to Nassau Paradise Island from both Orlando and Fort Lauderdale will now make travel to the white sand beaches, crystal clear water and world famous resorts of our islands, even more convenient and affordable,” said Fred Lounsberry, CEO of the Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board, in a JetBlue press release. See www.jetblue.com or www.nassauparadiseisland.com

Briefly: Jeff Houck’s Tasty Tampa Food Blog

TAMPA – Want to get a good idea about the best foodie spots in the Tampa region before you come to Florida?

Check out The Stew, a blog by newspaper writer Jeff Houck. Houck writes for the Tampa Tribune and does a fun food blog, both cooking and restaurants. His site also has links to other Tampa-area food blogs, including Tampa Locavore, Eating Tampa, Green Eggs, and Steamy Kitchen.

But back to the Michigan pies. The pies are Cornish pasty pies and they were brought to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula by immigrants, and then came to Florida. Writes Houck, “I went inside and met owner Allan Gower, who has operated the eatery with his wife, Cassie, since January.

We loved his post on this Michgan pasty shop and we sure are going to check the joint out.

Michigan Pies,
35201 SR-54
Zephyrhills, FL 33541

Briefly: Port St. Lucie Teens Fight Over Makeup

PORT ST. LUCIE – Two girls in Port St. Lucie fought over makeup, and their mother is in trouble too, all over a 3 a.m. disturbance. According to the Treasure Coast newspaper and website www.tcmpalm.com, Brittany Kaye Edwards, 18, said she went to the bedroom that her sister and mother share to get makeup out of her sister’s purse, according to the reports.

A fight ensued. According to the paper, police charged both sisters for domestic battery and charged their mother with obstruction of justice.

For more local Treasure Coast news when  you are visiting the areas of Stuart, Fort Pierce, Jensen Beach, Hobe Sound and Hutchinson Island, look at www.tcmpalm.com.

King’s Choice Grape Tomatoes, Tasty!

When you are in Florida, the produce is the best. Here, King’s Choice grape tomatoes, which come out of Plant City. You can find them at any Publix; they are sweet enough to eat like candies.

Briefly: Disney Magic to Africa

PORT CANAVERAL – The Disney Magic will head to Africa and Europe according to The Orlando Sentinel. It will go on North European trips, as well as a Mediterranean trip. The Disney Wonder will then take longer trips out of Port Canaveral, all the wake of two new liners to be delivered to Disney in 2010. There is rumor that they might be berthed in Europe and California, two logical markets.

“We had a huge success when we went to the Med the first time. And there were a lot of guests who, frankly, didn’t have an opportunity to go,” said Tom McAlpin, president of the Celebration-based Disney Cruise Line, in an interview to the Orlando Sentinel.

Find out more at Disney Cruise Line.

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