Posts filed under 'General Announcements'
Posted: July 2, 2010: 2:32 pm
The Winter Haven community and other interested citizens will get their first look at plans for LEGOLAND® Florida on Thursday, July 8 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Orange Dome on Cypress Gardens Boulevard. John Ussher, General Manager for LEGOLAND® Development notes, “This is just a friendly get together to tell people a little bit about the park. There will be a building event and some other activities.”
Those other activities include scale models of the park, video and blackboard plan displays and, of course, a LEGO play area for the children.
The event is a “drop by anytime during those hours” sort of unveiling and, expecting a large crowd, organizers chose the venue for its size and available parking.
Winter Haven will be home to America’s second LEGOLAND theme park and, in terms of acreage, the largest of Merlin Entertainments five LEGOLAND venues. The park is expected to open in Fall 2011 … just in time for the City’s Centennial Anniversary.
Pictured above, Merlin Entertainments CEO Nick Varney announces Winter Haven’s
selection as the site for LEGOLAND® Florida – January 21, 2010.
| See other posts filed in: Cypress Gardens, General Announcements, LEGOLAND® Florida, Merlin Entertainments, Tourism
Posted: June 22, 2010: 1:04 pm
The Florida Sports Hall of Fame opened in ribbon cutting ceremonies this morning and now shares quarters with Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing at their new Lake Myrtle complex. The Hall of Fame houses memorabilia from some of Florida’s most famous sports stars from the past four decades. Upon walking into the museum, visitors are greeted by a dragster, donated by Hall of Fame racer, “Big Daddy” Don Garlits (pictured below).
A number of Hall of Fame members were expected at the festivities including: Bobby Allison, Donnie Allison, Doug Sanders, Charlie Owens, Don Garlits, Fran Curci, Jimmy Carnes, Roger Strickland, Hubert Green, Pat Borders, Catie Condon and Ruth Alexander.
“We are so excited to be able to share this grand opening with the Hall of Fame members, the people who make this new building what it is,” said Florida Sports Hall of Fame Chairman, Rick Dantzler.
The Florida Sports Hall of Fame began in 1961 and returns to its roots so to speak as it was once housed in the Snively Mansion at Cypress Gardens. It’s new location is at the Lake Myrtle Sports Complex, 2701 Lake Myrtle Park Rd, Auburndale, FL 33823.
Please note that the new Florida Sports Hall of Fame officially opens Tuesday, June 29.
Hours of operation are Tuesday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
and Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. on event weekends.
| See other posts filed in: General Announcements, Sports, Tourism
Posted: June 18, 2010: 11:35 am
One of the most popular rock groups of the ‘70s and ‘80s, Australia’s Little River Band will provide the featured entertainment at the annual Winter Haven Hospital Foundation Gala on November 4 at Nora Mayo Hall. The group achieved world-wide fame for hits such as ‘Reminiscing,’ ‘Lady,’ ‘Lonesome Loser,’ ‘Cool Change,’ and ‘Help is on the Way.’ They first achieved fame in 1976, after the release of their self-titled debut album. Over the following decade, the group sold more than 25 million records and had 13 American Top 10 hits.
The gala is held annually to help support the Foundation’s fundraising programs and services at Winter Haven Hospital, Regency Center for Women and Infants; seven Family Health Centers and a variety of additional healthcare facilities. Winter Haven Hospital is a community-owned, not-for-profit major medical center.
Last year’s Gala raised more than $500,000 in philanthropic contributions.
Note: Admission to the Gala is primarily through sponsorships. Individual tickets, if available, are sold shortly before the event.
| See other posts filed in: General Announcements, Health Care
Posted: June 8, 2010: 11:35 am
The Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that we will present our first ever “Green Works Expo” showcasing environmentally friendly businesses and products. The event will take place on August 26 and feature afternoon hours for the general public and evening hours for the Chamber’s monthly Networking Showcase.
The Expo is being organized by a Chamber committee chaired by Chad Lennox with QuickBeam Energy. Committee members include Lauren Oakley with Windsor Lighting and Everton Jackson with Polk State Corporate College. There are sponsorship and exhibit opportunities available: email chamber1@winterhavenfl.com for further information.
The Green Works Expo is planned to be held in the Chamber’s downtown building but may, based on interest from exhibitors, be moved to a larger venue if necessary.
Mark your calendar now for a great afternoon and evening of Green Works information, refreshments and live entertainment all with an eye toward a sustainable Winter Haven. QuickBeam Energy is the first supporting sponsor of this event.
| See other posts filed in: Chamber Events, General Announcements, Technology
Posted: May 10, 2010: 11:59 pm
The Sundown Southern Eatery officially opened its doors to a welcoming public on Monday, May 10, 2010. The totally renovated restaurant is bright and the decor is decidedly upscale and contemporary with three private dining areas in addition to the lounge area (pictured left) and the two main dining rooms.
The grand opening follows a weekend of soft opening practice for the restaurant’s chef and staff. And the menu is as spectacular as the New York decor. From Yukon Gold Potato Chips with gorgonzola bleu cheese to grilled romaine salad — crab cakes to “The Burger” you’ll find steaks, sea food grilled pork and fried chicken. The menu selections are creative and the presentation complements the fare. Prices are moderate and the service is friendly and focused.
The Sundown Southern Eatery is now open on the historic site formerly known as Christy’s Sundown. It is one more great dining option for Winter Haven residents. Stop in and meet Manager Michael Johnson and his fine staff.
Pictured below top left: Grilled Romaine Salad, right: Crab Cake Appetizer
Below left: “The Burger” – right: Yukon Gold Potato Chips w/Gorgonzola Bleu Cheese
| See other posts filed in: City of Winter Haven, Dining, General Announcements
Posted: : 10:30 am
The Polk County Charter Review Commission will hold a public hearing this Wednesday, May 12 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Winter Haven City Hall Auditorium. A variety of Charter Amendments are under consideration from adding more County Commission seats to adopting a Code of Ethics for elected officials.
No Charter Amendments have been officially proposed. That process will occur after public input has been gathered. This is an opportunity for Winter Haven area residents to voice their interests and concerns with regard to the Charter Review. Make plans to attend.
You can review amendments under discussion here.
| See other posts filed in: General Announcements, Perspective
Posted: May 6, 2010: 10:13 am
Nelson Kirkland, former publisher of the News Chief in Winter Haven, has announced the launch of Central Florida Media Group. The new company will focus on niche community publishing throughout the region.
The new company’s first publication will be Polk Ag News and will launch in the summer of 2010. Agriculture has a significant impact on local communities and our overall economy. The Central Florida Economic Development Council’s Study of Regional Impact identified agriculture and agri-technology as one of the key sectors in our region with the most long term advantages to the economic well-being and future of the county. A variety of industries are tied to local agriculture, including agri-education, flavors and essence manufacturing, fruit packing, phosphate mining and processing facilities.
According to Kirkland, “Polk Ag News and www.polkagnews.com will provide up-to-date news, information and community connections that farmers, ranchers and Polk residents care about including political news from Bartow, Tallahassee and beyond. “We’ll also focus on the youth in local FFA and 4H programs.”
Central Florida Media Group (CFMG) plans to publish Polk Ag News monthly in print and to develop a robust internet site featuring photos and video. Readers can expect contributions from The Polk County Farm Bureau, Florida Citrus Mutual, Florida Citrus Commission, Florida Cattlemen’s Association and other organizations and agencies focused on agriculture.
Company Gets Nod from USF Poly Accelerator
CFMG announced its selection by USF Polytechnic’s business accelerator, Blue Sky East, which uses technology and research to support companies building new products and services.
Blue Sky is Polk’s first university-based incubator/accelerator program and is engaged in a competitive application process to select the right mix of companies for its inaugural year. The incubator provides mentoring, network opportunities, access to academic and business expertise as well as technology support for selected companies.
Kirkland added, “We’re thrilled to be working with Blue Sky. A lot goes into developing new products and services and the atmosphere of collaboration at a business accelerator makes the process easier and more successful.”
“We’re going to be aggressive in distribution,” said Kirkland. “We’ll reach more than 5,000 greenbelt property owners located in Polk County and have more than 550 other distribution locations. We expect to circulate in excess of 25,000 copies each month in addition to our web presence.”
For additional information on Central Florida Media Group and Polk Ag News, contact Kirkland or visit www.centralfloridamediagroup.com.
In February Kirkland left the New York Times Company after a 24-year career most recently serving as publisher of the News Chief newspaper in Winter Haven.
“Community publishing is what I love to do,” said Kirkland. “I’m excited to put my experience to work for niche audiences and companies in Central Florida.”
| See other posts filed in: Commercial Developments, General Announcements, News Media
Posted: March 24, 2010: 11:27 am
Legendary Winter Haven Restaurateur Nicholas “Nick” Christy, 91, died on Monday, March 22. Christy came to Winter Haven in the early 1950s and purchased what was then called the Sundown Restaurant. He brought his own special flair and Greek influence to a menu that made the establishment one of the most famous and popular in the Central Florida area.
Services for Mr. Christy will take place at St. Sophia’s Greek Orthodox Church at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 27, 2010. The church is located at 1030 Bradbury Road, Winter Haven. (This is a change from previously announced graveside services.)
Share your memories of Nick or the restaurant … comment below.
Pictured left Christy serves Marilyn Van Derbur, Miss America 1958, one of many pageant winners that visited the restaurant while appearing at Cypress Gardens.
| See other posts filed in: Dining, General Announcements, Memorials
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: February 16, 2010: 12:16 pm
SITE IS ADJACENT TO USF POLYTECHNIC CAMPUS
As Polk County’s chambers of commerce, governmental units and planning organizations focused increasing attention on the regional implications of the recently announced Tampa-Polk-Orlando High Speed Rail plan, a major landowner on Florida’s High Tech Corridor announced major plans for one of the leading sites proposed for Polk County’s HSR station.
The site, at the eastern intersection of I-4 and the Polk Parkway, is adjacent to the new USF Polytechnic campus and minutes from the Polk Commerce Centre and the county’s new Lake Myrtle Sports Complex, is located within the Williams Development of Regional Impact (DRI). More importantly, according to USF Polytechnic CEO Marshall Goodman, “This site is central to all of Polk County. It’s the most accessible location being considered.”
Through it’s local spokesman, Charles Gray, of Gray Robinson PA, Attorneys, the Williams Acquisition Holding Company, Inc., owner of the DRI, plans to develop the site as the USF Poly campus opens its doors for 5,000 students in 2012 on a Calatrava-designed campus expected to ultimately host 16,000 students. The DRI project is planned to include 4,300 residential units, 1.3 million square feet of commercial space, a research/development park with 2.9 million square feet of space, 350 hotel rooms and a village center, similar to the successful Lakeside Village development on Lakeland’s southwest side, 240,000 square feet of retail space, 200,000 square feet of office space, 400 residential units and a 100-room hotel.
The Williams group is currently in negotiations with P3 DevCo for development of the property surrounding the proposed future High Speed Rail station site. Williams also previously negotiated with several national community developers for the development of the entire Williams DRI. Negotiations, however, were postponed pending completion of the construction of the Polk Parkway interchange, the East/West road and Phase I of the USF Polytechnic campus.
Williams sees 2012 as a pivotal year for the site and the region, Gray said. That year will see the completion of the Florida Turnpike Enterprise’s massive Pace Road interchange project on the Polk Parkway and completion of the 5.8 mile 4-lane highway (the East/West road) connecting the Pace Road interchange on the east and State Road 33 on the west. The County has completed construction of the 4-lane Pace Road from Berkley Road to the interchange.
This regional roadway will serve the University, Polk County and the county’s 17 municipalities. With the location of the High Speed Rail station at a site in the center of Polk County’s segment of I-4, the new transportation mode will be positioned to serve the USF Poly campus, the Williams DRI, the Polk Commerce Centre DRI, the Lake Myrtle Complex, Fantasy of Flight, and Merlin Entertainment’s recently announced LegoLand theme park in Winter Haven, as well as the major population hubs in Lakeland.
The terms of any joint venture or potential sale of any portion of the Williams property for development will not be completed until the High Speed Rail station location is determined. According to Gray, if the station is located on the Williams property, Williams is prepared to make available a 20-acre site for the station.
You can view a Williams Co./USF Polytechnic Site Map Here
| See other posts filed in: Commercial Developments, Economic Development, General Announcements, High Speed Rail, Transportation
Previous Posts
The Winter Haven community and other interested citizens will get their first look at plans for LEGOLAND® Florida on Thursday, July 8 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Orange Dome on Cypress Gardens Boulevard. John Ussher, General Manager for LEGOLAND® Development notes, “This is just a friendly get together to tell people a little bit about the park. There will be a building event and some other activities.”
The Official Website of the Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce
