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Business digest

Tag . . . You're It, 11020 Northcliffe Blvd., Spring Hill, has introduced two programs for business groups and organizations.

One is the overnight "lock-in," where groups are given six hours of exclusive use of the facility, including unlimited laser tag as well as refreshments and arcade game tokens. The first group to participate in a lock-in included members of local 4-H clubs, organized by Nancy Moore.

The other program is the corporate team-building event, where groups have four hours to participate in laser tag games, hold meetings and have lunch. The first group to participate in this event included members of the St. Petersburg Times' Citrus and Hernando advertising sales staffs.

For information or game reservations, call 684-9200.

Complete Technology Solutions, formerly Complete Internet Solutions, 15588 Aviation Loop Drive, south of Brooksville, was recently awarded a contract with WorkNet Pinellas.

WorkNet Pinellas develops strategies to target the needs of employers, then matches them to job seekers.

Complete Technology Solutions will be responsible for the service and upkeep of almost 400 desktop computers in eight locations throughout Pinellas County. The company will be responsible for implementing a cost savings plan for telecommunications.

The company was selected from more than 20 statewide and local contractors. Its selection was, in part, because of its experience with large networks and working with other WorkForce Development state agencies.

Realty World Broker Network, in conjunction with Willett and Associates, recently announced the opening of its newest office at 5177 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill. Realty World is a worldwide real estate franchise with more than 800 offices in the United States.

Managing broker Harry Willett and office manager Roxie Willett said the new firm offers the latest in sales, marketing services and training for its associates and staff.

The public is welcome to visit and ask questions about property values and how best to market their homes.

For information, call 684-6607 or visit their two Web sites: www.realtyworld.com or www.realtyworld-willett.com

Coca-Cola Bottling Co., 23091 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, introduced Coca-Cola C2, with half the carbohydrates, calories and sugar of regular cola, June 11. The product was designed for those who do not like the taste of diet cola but want to reduce their carbohydrate, calorie and sugar intake.

C2 refers to half the carbs and half the calories but with the full taste of Coca-Cola. For an 8-ounce serving, the cola has 12 grams of carbs, compared with 27 grams in regular cola; only 45 calories, compared with 100 calories in regular cola; and 12 grams of sugar, compared with 27 grams in regular cola.

Coca-Cola C2 is available in 20-ounce bottles and 12-ounce cans, including special 8- and 18-can multipacks. C2 will soon be offered at fountains.

Becky Lindsay, an agent with State Farm, 5467 Commercial Way, Spring Hill, was among 200 top performing State Farm female agents selected to attend the Women's Symposium at American College in Philadelphia, co-sponsored by State Farm Insurance Cos. and Phoenix Wealth Management.

The three-day event focused on why women agents are well-suited to excel in the financial services industry and how they can help other women succeed in planning for their futures.

Speakers included: Dr. Wayne Sotile and Mary Sotile, co-authors of Marriage Skills for Busy Couples; Martha Barletta, author of Marketing to Women: How to Understand, Reach and Increase Your Share of the World's Largest Market Segment; and Lowell Catlett, an economist and futurist.

Dr. Robert Blackburn, board certified family practice physician with All American Medical Associates of Spring Hill and a director of the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association, attended the executive committee meeting of the association June 4 at the Governor's Club in Tallahassee.

Blackburn met with the board of trustees June 5 and then attended a Southern fish fry at the home of Steve Winn, executive director of the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association.

Topics discussed included legislative updates and reports on bills, committee appointments, continuing medical education, and professional and public affairs affecting patient access to health care.

Blackburn is the chairman of the Healthcare Advisory Board for Hernando County and president of Access Hernando. He is the president of the Florida Society of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians.

The Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce will have a ribbon cutting and grand opening Tuesday at Fine Lines Boutique, 1361 Kass Circle, Spring Hill. The ribbon cutting begins at 11 a.m., and the grand opening celebration is at 11:30. For information, contact Janet Schuller, Lois Dias or Irene Adjan at 666-8843.

Raymond James Financial Services, 5129 Commercial Way, Spring Hill, will sponsor a free seminar, "Protecting Your Financial Assets," at 2 p.m. Tuesday.

Helen Allison will host the seminar. People attending will learn to identify risks, what Medicare covers, items to look for in a long-term care policy and new tax incentives Congress has provided.

To reserve a seat, call 596-1530.

Oak Hill Hospital will host a reception for those who are new to Hernando County to introduce them to services available throughout the county.

Members of Oak Hill's staff will conduct a tour of the hospital and share information about medical services as well as information about restaurants and entertainment, government services and schools, sports, parks and recreation, voting and vehicle registrations, and where to shop.

The reception will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Hernando Medical Office Building, Entrance C, fourth floor, Room 403. Refreshments will be served. Free valet parking is available.

Anyone interested is asked to RSVP to 597-6333 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily. Seating is limited.

The Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce will have its monthly after-hours business mixer at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Saturn of Port Richey, 11613 U.S. 19 N, Port Richey.

Food and beverages will be available. The event is an excellent time to network.

For information, contact Kellie Edwards at 796-0697, ext. 15, or Mike Batchelder at (727) 862-9044.

The Nature Coast Chapter of the Florida Society of Accountants will have its monthly meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Wellington clubhouse, 400 Wexford Road, Spring Hill.

Detective Tony Scarpati of the Hernando County Sheriff's Office will speak on identity theft.

Reservations are required. Contact Tom LoCicero at 684-5634 no later than 3 p.m. June 15.

Meetings are the third Thursday of each month and are open to any accountant or tax professional in Hernando, Pasco or Citrus counties. For information, contact Pat Cornett, president, at 597-3460.

A free Community Home buyers and Credit Rebuilding Workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Kennedy Park, 895 Kennedy Blvd., Brooksville.

The workshop is sponsored by the Hernando County Housing Authority and will be conducted by Consumer Credit Counseling Service, a nonprofit, HUD-approved, United Way community service agency whose mission is to provide professional education and confidential counseling services.

The workshop provides information on the steps to buy a home, credit rebuilding and information on programs available to assist with down payments and closing costs for low- to moderate-income families.

A certificate of achievement will be awarded to all who complete the workshop. The certificate is a requirement for most down payment assistance programs and affordable loans for first-time home buyers.

For information or to register for the workshop, call toll-free at 1-800-972-6584, ext. 127.

Service Corps of Retired Executives, Pasco-Hernando Chapter 439, will offer a seminar for those seeking business loans to either start or expand a business from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the SunTrust Bank conference center, 6128 U.S. 19, New Port Richey.

Participants will learn how various types of business loans are obtained, what a Small Business Administration guaranteed loan is, and how credit reports and scores affect credit worthiness.

The course fee is $25. Participants may apply for SCORE's free counseling program at this seminar. For information, contact Hap Fairman at (727) 869-2466 or Stu May at 688-6903.

The Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce will have its monthly breakfast meeting at 7:45 a.m. June 23 at Silverthorn Country Club, 4550 Golf Course Lane, Spring Hill.

The cost is $10 per person. This month's sponsor is Career Central. The speaker will be Deanne Roberts, and the topic will be "Creative Class."

For information, call 796-0697.

- If you have announcements, 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 754-6133. Items may be edited for length and clarity. Photos are published as space permits; they will not be returned.