Posts filed under 'Downtown'
Posted: June 8, 2010: 10:47 am
WINTER HAVEN, FL (June 8, 2010): Lasater Flowers & Gifts was recently named a member of Teleflora’s National Account Program, an elite incentive and loyalty program created exclusively for Teleflora’s top member florists in America. Teleflora, the world’s leading flower delivery service offering only hand-arranged and hand-delivered floral arrangements, created the program as a way to thank its member florists for all their support and hard work.
Teleflora member florists qualified for membership in the National Account Program by sending orders with Teleflora, growing their Teleflora eFlorist website order volume, and designing and delivering floral orders from Teleflora and fellow member florists. Members of the Teleflora National Account Program represent the top 5% of Teleflora’s 18,000 florist partners.
Lasater Flowers & Gifts has been a member of the community since 1958 and is located in downtown Winter Haven at 220 West Central Avenue.
Congratulations to Chris Hazelwood and staff!
| See other posts filed in: Downtown, Success Stories
Posted: May 7, 2010: 11:20 am
Thursday, May 6 was a busy day for USF Polytechnic University as it held ribbon cutting ceremonies for both Blue Sky East and Blue Sky West business accelerator facilities. Blue Sky East festivities were held in Lakeland. Pictured above, dignitaries at the Blue Sky West celebration prepare to launch the business accelerator located in the 610 Plaza building.
Pictured left to right: Winter Haven City Commissioners J. P. Powell and Steve Hunnicutt; Chamber President Howard King; County Commissioner Randy Wilkerson; Winter Haven Mayor Jeff Potter; USF Polytechnic President Marshall Goodman (partially hidden); State Senator J. D. Alexander; USF Polytechnic Board member Gene Engle; CFDC President Tom Patton; City Commissioner Nat Birdsong and 610 Corporation’s Bud Strang
| See other posts filed in: Downtown, Economic Development, Technology, USF Polytechnic
Posted: March 12, 2010: 5:02 pm
Artist concept looking SE from interection of Ave. A and Third St. NW
Winter Haven City Commissioners met today (Friday, March 12) in a Quarterly Planning Workshop designed to discuss potential new projects and review the status of previous priorities.
One primary area of interest involved a proposed downtown parking garage that would be situated on the block where the Ritz Theatre is located. The garage would essentially wrap around the theatre. Conceptual plans call for first floor retail space for urban connectivity and several floors of parking spaces including a top deck. Total number of spaces would number slightly more that 5oo.
Commissioner Jamie Beckett pointed to the new “Business Continuity Center” located in the 610 Plaza building (formerly Verizon) that can accommodate overnight up to 250 workers from a business that has suffered an interruption due to catastrophic circumstances anywhere. Beckett said his number one question from downtown businesses dealt with parking and he added, “Where will we park those 250 extra workers.” (Also, a developing downtown technology sector now employs approximately 230 people and is projected to employ 500 by 2012.)
City Manager Dale Smith noted that parking garages are never inexpensive but the current economic climate should produce a cost effective climate for building.
The commissioners instructed staff to develop definite plans and recommendations on how to proceed.
The planning workshop lasted three-hours and dealt with a variety of topics. The Commission is also interested in evaluating the need for updating the Community’s visioning document, “Our Future By Design.”
| See other posts filed in: City of Winter Haven, Commercial Developments, Downtown, Real Estate, Technology
Posted: March 9, 2010: 12:08 pm
The top 10 winners of the 2010 Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition have been selected and are being installed in downtown Winter Haven’s Central Park. This year’s outdoor gallery will be found in Virginia Miller Park (across from library), Central Park, and South Central Park and presented to the public on April 15 at the Central Park Stroll.
Join your friends from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. and stroll the parks. Then vote for your favorite sculpture in the People’s Choice Awards. Official judges awards will also be announced that evening. Adding to the festivities will be music performed by musicians from Polk State College.
The Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition is presented by the City of Winter Haven and the
Polk Museum of Art in partnership with Main Street Winter Haven and the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce.
You can see all ten sculptures here.
Pictured above left is Basalt Man by Glenn Zweygardt, Alfred Station, NY, and at right is Creepy Crawley by Adam C. Walls, Laurinburg, NC.
| See other posts filed in: City of Winter Haven, Cultural Arts, Downtown, General Announcements, Main Street Winter Haven
Posted: January 7, 2010: 1:53 pm
Join the Chamber family as we mark a century of service to the the Winter Haven area business community. The Chamber had its beginnings as a Board of Trade founded in 1910!
All the fun begins Thursday, January 28 at 5:30 p.m. at the Chamber. There will be live entertainment, building tours, great food, prizes, $25 business card drawing and you may win $500 if your name is called in the Name Droppers Prize – but you must be listed on the RSVP list from this Web site to win—no exceptions.
All the festivities will take place at your beautiful downtown Chamber building – 401 Avenue B, NW—also celebrating the 20th Anniversary of its opening in January.
Free to members with their RSVP. $25 for non-members.
RSVP Here!
This most special Centennial Celebration Showcase is sponsored
by these fine Chamber members:
| See other posts filed in: Chamber Centennial Celebration, Chamber Events, Downtown
Posted: January 6, 2010: 3:15 pm
Downtown Winter Haven sparkles with new pavers, lighting and landscaping, a beautiful new library , a variety of great restaurants and a growing number of special shops. But quiet and little-noticed is an emerging technology sector anchored by a unique fiber optic crossroads and the USF Polytechnic technology accelerator.
The primary driver of this tech hub is two large telecommunications buildings formerly owned by Verizon/GTE and now owned and being developed by the Six Ten Corporation. The two buildings are hardened and carrier grade and have become the anchors for what is now known as the Inland Fiber and Data Park — a four-block area offering safe data storage and emergency back up facilities to both government and corporate clients from throughout Florida and both national and international interests.
There is currently 300,000 square feet of space serving 26 companies with approximately 230 employees. Six Ten is proposing to add another 50,000 square feet of new space by 2012 effectively doubling the number of companies to 50 and employment to 500. These high technology jobs are projected to average wages of $43,000 – $69,000.
Currently there are eight fiber optic providers located downtown. They include: Level 3, Verizon, Nuvox, Time Warner Telecom, FPL Fibernet, BrightHouse and Sprint. That number is expected to grow to twelve by 2012.
Tenants include medical, business service and support, software developers, data centers anddisaster recovery, technology, educational institutions and State and Federal Government. Another key partner in the development of this technology park is Elephant Outlook Information Services providing secure email management and compliance.
Key to this emerging sector is the synergy derived from public/private partnerships. Six Ten Corporation and Elephant Outlook are partnering with the resources of the City of Winter Haven, Central Florida Development Council, East Polk Committee of 100 and USF Polytechnic to maximize the position of Polk County and Winter Haven in this highly desirable area of economic development.
High wage and high potential in the heart of downtown. The future looks bright.
| See other posts filed in: City of Winter Haven, Commercial Developments, Downtown, Economic Development, Technology
Posted: November 24, 2009: 11:51 am
One Winter Haven downtown business has created what is certain to be a “must-see” Christmas destination. Potthast Studios and photographer Michael Potthast have used the occasion to combine his talent and the true spirit of Christmas by creating a panoramic Nativity scene across the three sections of display windows on his downtown store front.
The concept involved elaborate staging and live animals brought to the studio for the shoot. It took approximately two months to create, print, mount and arrange the tableau that faces Central Avenue.
The animals used in the shoot involved a Brahman bull (pictured left), Jenny and Jenny foal (female donkeys) and a llama. Potthast explains there were no llamas present at the Nativity, and the llama’s sihlouette was used in the tableau to resemble a camel (not readily available in Central Florida).
One interesting aspect of the display is all photographs of participants (except the animals) were printed life size. The display is already causing traffic slowdowns on Central Avenue and a bit of “horn-blowing.” We predict you’ll read much more about this unique Nativity re-enactment.
Add this to your list of destinations during the many holiday activities taking place downtown throughout the Christmas season. Congratulations to Potthast Studios for an extraordinary creative concept.
Credits:
Wisemen: Father Peter Puntal; Father Fracilus Petit-Homme; Father Charles Viviano
Holy Family: Mary: Janina Freeland; Joseph: Brian Freeland Baby Jesus: Kendall Freeland (left)
Angel: Meredith Mancini (below)
Shephards: George Gasperson; Dr. Josef Kleine
Animal Owner: Alan Ulch
Special Consideration: St. Joseph’s Catholic Church; St. Mathews Catholic Church
Crew: Photographer, Michael Potthast
Portrait Stylist and Designer: Lisa Anne Kleine
Robin Ireland, Amy Potthast, Shannon Lopez, Bill Potthast, William Woody, Lynda Whitney
| See other posts filed in: Downtown
Posted: October 29, 2009: 8:34 pm
A number of Downtown events will make the most of Halloween both Friday and Saturday nights this weekend. There’s fun and fright for most anyone and everyone. Mark your calendar and bring your friends and family. All the details below:
Ghoul’s Night Out
Friday Night, October 30
The City of Winter Haven will present a great night for ghosts and goblins of all ages at Ghoul’s Night Out from 6 – 9 p.m. Downtown the fun starts in the parks.
Terror on the Ridge – Bedlam Asylum
Friday and Saturday Night, October 30 and 31
Ridge Art presents “Terror on the Ridge – Bedlam Asylum” recommended for ages 12 and up. Special “Lights On Tour” from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. (Friday only) for the faint at heart. ($3 per person) Then, from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. the Terror returns. Be the first to be “committed!” ($8 per person) Halloween Night they’ll be open the asylum from 7:30 p.m. to Midnight. ($8 per person)
Saturday, October 31
Downtown Street Party for Adults (Central Avenue between 3rd and 4th Streets
Arabella’s Ave. Bar and Tanner’s Pub present this first ever Halloween evening for Grown Ups! Dance in the street to music by the New Beginnings Band. 8:30 p.m. to Midnight. Costume Contest with CASH PRIZES at 11 p.m. DJ Bob in Tanner’s Courtyard and DJ Smooth on Tanner’s Main Stage inside. So much fun … it’ll scare the bejeebies out of you! Brought to you by the Boys and Ghouls of
| See other posts filed in: City of Winter Haven, Crazy Things To Do, Dining, Downtown
Posted: October 23, 2009: 2:25 pm
Chris Hazelwood beamed as she accepted the East Polk Committee of 100 Small Industry Award for 2009. Her company, Lasater Flowers was honored for 400% growth and $250,000 in capital investments in downtown Winter Haven. Chris credits her staff and their commitment to customer service for the growth and success of the 51 year-old enterprise that she and husband, Hap, purchased several years ago.
Lasater’s was similarly honored by the Winter Haven Chamber at their September Annual Meeting. The Chamber then submitted their company profile as a nomination for the East Polk Awards. The ceremonies took place the the Lake Eva Banquet facilities in Haines City. Progress Energy was recognized with East Polk’s Large Industry Award.
| See other posts filed in: Downtown, Success Stories
Posted: October 12, 2009: 3:48 pm
Plan on great fun, music, beer and bratwurst as Main Street Winter Haven presents the Second Annual Octoberfest Community Fall Celebration. The festivities all take place this Friday, October 16 – ah, and cooler weather is predicted.
Bring your friends to Central Park, downtown Winter Haven from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Live music by BandHaven. Beer and bratwurst may be purchased individually, or V.I.P. tickets are available for $15 each, or two for $25 (include food and admission to the beer-tasting tent allowing guests to sample more than 15 specialty beers).
The sponsors are Bernie Little Distributors, Inc., the City of Winter Haven and Main Street Winter Haven, Inc.
As long as you’re downtown you can also have the bejeebies scared out of you (for those with too many bejeebies) from 7:30 to 10 p.m. when you visit Ridge Art’s “Terror on the Ridge: Bedlam Asylum” … a haunted house for adults and children age 12 and up. Based on an insane asylum theme, this will be an intense experience created in 13 rooms of sheer horror. Located just east of the historic Ritz Theatre, there is a $7 admission fee that benefits the arts group.
Make this Friday a night in Downtown Winter Haven!
| See other posts filed in: City of Winter Haven, Dining, Downtown, Main Street Winter Haven
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