Hernando County business news

Who's news

Realtors Mary M. and John D. Crouse have joined Preferred Property Associates, 280 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill.

Team Crouse has been serving the Hernando County area for four years and was ranked in the top 4 percent in sales for 2008 and 2009 with the Hernando County Association of Realtors.

The Crouses can be reached at (352) 200-8325.

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Realtor-associate Valerie Cantwell has joined Preferred Property Associates, 1188 S Broad St., Brooksville. She has been serving the Hernando County area for eight years and has 23 years of experience in sales and marketing.

Cantwell can be reached at (352) 584-7821.

Joanne LaPhan, a senior real estate specialist, has joined Preferred Property Associates, 280 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill.

LaPhan, a top agent in her field, has 21 years of sales experience in Hernando County. She can be reached at (352) 398-4707.

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Laurie Pizzo with Century 21 Alliance Realty, 3441 Deltona Blvd., Spring Hill, has been awarded the National Association of Realtors' Green Designation, the only green real estate professional designation recognized by NAR.

Pizzo achieved this designation after completing 18 hours of course work designed specifically for Realtors. The courses were created in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team of industry experts, ensuring designees gain comprehensive knowledge of green homes and buildings, and issues of sustainability in relation to real estate.

Pizzo also holds the Graduate Realtor Institute (or GRI) designation. She can be reached at laurie.pizzo@century21.com or at (352) 428-8011

Jeff Webb, founder and president of Jeff Webb Communications, a home-based business in Spring Hill, has been accepted as a member of the Association of Professional Communication Consultants.

The APCC is an international network of professionals committed to raising public awareness of the value of effective communication, while helping its members achieve the highest standards of professional practice.

APCC members include consultants, trainers, facilitators, executive coaches, writers, editors, corporate communication specialists, educators and technical communicators.

Webb can be reached at (352) 442-1394.

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Oak Hill Hospital, 11375 Cortez Blvd., Spring Hill, has announced its "stars" associates of the month, for February. Each month, an associate representing each of the hospital's three areas of service — nursing, ancillary and support — is chosen in a process that involves nominations and voting by the staff.

This month's stars are: Morrissa Soto, Jose Luis De LaZerda Ligeron and Cheryl Stelzl.

Registered nurse Morrissa Soto joined Oak Hill's second floor progressive care unit in August 2007 and now works on the fifth floor telemetry unit. She and her husband, Juan, and son Isaiah, 3, live in Spring Hill.

Jose Luis De laZerda Ligeron, a certified nursing assistant, began working at the hospital's progressive care unit in October of 2008. He and his wife, Sandra, have two children — Jennifer, 6, and Jefferson, 7 months.

Registered nurse Cheryl Stelzl joined the hospital's surgery department in April 2003. She has the crucial job of insuring that "time outs" are conducted appropriately, and she is also the hospital's patient's advocate.

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Registered dental hygienists JoAnn Mahfood and Nancy Jones of Spring Hill Dental Associates, 11025 Spring Hill Drive, recently became certified in Oraspa Periomatherapy, a soothing and healing maintenance visit that successfully bridges the gap between dental science and the art, beauty and relaxation of the spa.

The unique dental prophylaxis combines six natural healing elements to create the most pleasurable and positive experience for patients at no extra cost. Mahfood and Jones now join a very elite group of only 100 certified Oraspa therapists nationwide and are two of only four in Florida.

For information, call (352) 683-1838.

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Arlene Laracuente of Economy Insurance Mart, 7377 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill, has completed the 220-hour insurance course that advances her to "agent-broker" status with a license to "sell and insure" commercial business along with property & casualty policies.

Laracuente has been with the company for five years and graduated the advanced courses with the 2010 class of students. She can be reached at (352) 688-0109.

Events

Liberty Tax Service will offer free tax preparations for firefighters, EMTs and police officers who are first-time customers today and Sunday at its office at 11047 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. For information, call (352) 666-1116.

Liberty Tax Service will also offer free tax preparations for hospital workers who are first-time customers from Monday through March 21 at its office at 11047 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. For information, call (352) 666-1116.

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The public is invited to meet and cheer on the cyclists as they stop for snacks at 8 a.m. Monday at AAA Auto Club South, 1410 Pinehurst Drive, Spring Hill. The cyclists plan to continue their tour about 8:30 a.m. Beginning at 10 a.m., the community is invited to attend more events at the AAA office, including free vision screenings by Sears Optical; free auto inspections by Mike's Auto Body; free samples by Outback Steakhouse and Nellie's Restaurant, and a free ride in the AAA race car simulator. To RSVP, call Sharon Brandon, insurance manager, at (352) 683‑3446, ext. 2241.

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The Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce will have the following ribbon cuttings during the coming week:

•Headquarters Styling Salon, 12 W Jefferson St., Brooksville, noon Tuesday. For information, contact Crystal Harris-Gary at (352) 428-9587.

•Sugar Mill Diagnostic Imaging, LLC, 8303 S Suncoast Blvd., Homosassa, noon Wednesday. For information, contact Dr. Michael K. Herron at (352) 628-9900.

•The Giggling Mermaid, 7371 Commercial Way, Weeki Wachee, noon Thursday. For information, contact Paula Trehey at (352) 597-3878.

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Service Corps of Retired Executives Pasco-Hernando Chapter 439, FranNet and SunTrust Bank have joined forces to present a free business seminar for those considering starting a business franchise, from 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday at SunTrust Bank, 7319 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill.

This seminar will help you determine if a franchise is the right opportunity for owning your own business. Learn about the resources available to help you make the transition and find the business that is right for you.

Pat Deering, owner of FranNet of Greater Tampa Bay, will discuss how they help a prospective franchisee develop an outline of what they are seeking from business ownership. FranNet, after determining how the candidate objectives meet the guidelines of different franchisors, will direct them to the ones that fit their goals.

After the initial qualification stage, FranNet will assist candidates with researching viable franchise opportunities, finding finance sources, a franchise lawyer and other critical start up steps in the franchise process.

Howard Bassuk, a counselor with SCORE, will outline the free and confidential business counseling services available to start-up as well as established franchisees. In addition to basic start-up concerns, experienced counselors assist with developing business plans, marketing and sales plans, obtaining bank financing, human resource policies, QuickBook programs and other key small business operational concerns.

Reservations are recommended. For information, call FranNet at (813) 281-5473 or e‑mail pdeering@frannet.com.

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The Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce will have its March networking class from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at 15588 Aviation Loop Drive in the Chamber's training room, Brooksville.

The class will be conducted by Vince Vanni and will offer practical tips; it is designed for individuals who are shy or uncomfortable talking to strangers.

The class is open to the public. Fee is $15 for members, $25 for nonmembers. To register, call (352) 796-0697, ext. 15.

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Hernando Biz…Net — Connecting for You, a newly formed networking group, will meet at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday at Silverthorn Country Club, 4550 Golf Course Lane, Spring Hill.

A minimal dues structure is in place. Members are asked to attend at least three meetings a month and order breakfast off the menu ($6 to $8, typically).

New members are welcome. For information, contact Ray Heter at (352) 688-1900 or via e‑mail at rheter@cortezcommunity bank.com.

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The Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce will have its March After Hours Mixer, sponsored by Brooksville Cardiology, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday at 12082 Cortez Blvd., Spring Hill.

There will be refreshments and opportunities to network. For information, call Dr. Adel Eldin at (352) 592-4938.

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Green World Path Inc., 1665 Donto Way, Brooksville, will offer a free class on acupuncture beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday.

The guest speaker will be Drs. Robert and Marion Booker from Meridian Acupuncture Center in Brooksville. Their topic will be "Five Secrets to Looking and Feeling Younger." Certified in acupuncture injection therapy, bio-puncture, including mesotherapy and anti-aging therapy, they have been in private practice for more than 15 years.

Staffers will offer tours of the facility and garden. For information or directions, call (352) 799-0200.

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The Nature Coast Chapter of the Florida Society of Accountants will have its monthly meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the IHOP restaurant, 3660 Commercial Way, Spring Hill.

The speaker will be attorney Al Torrence, who will give a talk on labor laws.

Reservations are required. Call Tori Davis at (352) 796-8860 no later than Wednesday.

Chapter meetings are the third Thursday of each month and are open to any accountant or tax professional in Hernando, Pasco and Citrus counties.

For information, call Pat Cornett at (352) 597-3460.

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Nature Coast Business Professionals, a newly formed non-exclusive networking group, will meet at 8 a.m. Friday at Silverthorn Country Club, 4550 Golf Course Lane, Spring Hill.

The group's goal is to develop long-term relationships with other business professionals. There are no membership fees.

For information, call Deborah Cutlip at (352) 684-9137 or visit naturecoastbusiness professionals.com

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Spring Hill Jazzercise, 1287 Kass Circle, Spring Hill, will host a "Shower, Rattle and Roll" baby shower fundraiser at 5:30 p.m. on Friday.

Organized by local instructors Becky Mooneyham, Emily Robson and Carrie DeNote, the event will feature a 30-minute Jazzercise Express class, as well as refreshments, games and prizes.

Admission to the event is a baby item to be donated to the Dawn Center. Requested items include baby wipes, all sizes of diapers, baby food, cereal, small toys, pacifiers, baby oil and lotion, toddler underwear, shoes, socks, baby towels and washcloths, etc.

For information, contact Mooneyham at (352) 442-8595.

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Service Corps of Retired Executives Pasco-Hernando Chapter 439 will present a free small business seminar, "Learn how to do a Business Plan for your Small Business," from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on March 22 at the Lykes Memorial Library main branch, 238 Howell Ave., Brooksville.

Bill Brydia, SCORE counselor, will cover the basics of writing a plan that answers the key questions of what data is required, what techniques are used to acquire it, and how to use this input to determine realistic goals and objectives to assure profitable business growth.

The two-hour seminar will also highlight the importance of good research, as well as examples of the types and styles of an effective business plan, the formant and content acceptable to the SBA and local banks, cash flow management and developing marketing strategies to give the best return on investment.

For reservations or information, call the library at (352) 754-4043 or the SCORE office at (727) 842-4638.

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ReMax Advantage of Hernando County, 4320 Lake in the Woods, Spring Hill, is hosting the "10-Mile Miracle" fundraiser at 9 a.m. March 27 at the Anderson Snow Park Sports Complex, 1360 Anderson Snow Road, Spring Hill. Half of all proceeds raised will benefit the Children's Miracle Network.

Registration begins at 8 a.m., and participants can bike, skate or run/walk along the Suncoast Trail, starting at the Sports Complex, continuing north to the trailhead at Croom Rital Road off Cortez Boulevard, then returning to the complex.

There is a $10 entry fee. Additionally, participants can ask friends and family to sponsor them $1 for every mile completed, raising another $10 for the cause.

For information, to sign up or to just make a donation, e‑mail remaxbiggestloser@yahoo.com or call (352) 596-9999.

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The Grande, 725 Desoto Ave., Brooksville, will host "The Grande Gives Back to the Community," from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 27.

The event is free and open to the public, and will feature numerous area businesses, health organizations with information, prize giveaways and more.

Hot dogs and hamburgers will be sold for $1 each, and proceeds will benefit Relay for Life. As part of its "give back," law enforcement officials, fire and rescue personnel, and city and county workers will receive free food.

For information, call (352) 544-0944.

If you have business announcements you would like to share with our readers, mail the details to Jean Hayes, Business Digest, Hernando Times, 15365 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, FL 34613-6174. You may also e-mail items to jhayes@sptimes.com or fax them to (352) 754-6133. Items may be edited for length and clarity. Photos are published as space permits; they will not be returned.