Business Digest

By JEAN HAYES, Times Staff Writer
Published December 10, 2007

Briefly

The County Line Cafe & Grille, 120 Commercial Way, Spring Hill, is accepting donations for Toys for Tots, military troops, the Humane Society and foster children for the holidays. Boxes are set up, and patrons who bring in a donation will receive a free drink with a meal.

For information, call 688-8899.

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Strong Tower Vineyard & Winery, 17810 Forge Drive, Spring Hill, which opened in September, has created a wine called "Spring Hill Red."

Owners and operators Terry and Janis McKnight say the new wine is a light color and a bit sweeter than a typical red wine.

For information, call 799-7612.

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Little Village Preschool Child Care, 7211 County Line Road, Spring Hill, has opened for business and is accepting students. The school offers bilingual instruction, computer courses and a creative curriculum.

Certified teacher Vivian Jaquez is the school's director. The school is registered with Children Department Services and is licensed by the Florida Department of Children and Families.

The school is open from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For information, call 688-2200.

Who's news

Susan L. Thompson and Bonnie Barbieri of ReMax Advantage Realty, 4320 Lake in the Woods Drive, Spring Hill, recently attended the first course required toward earning the certified international property specialist designation.

Both are now on the CIPS referral system for international buyers. There are five parts to earning the full designation.

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Wayne Mertes, nuclear cardiology technologist with the Good Shepherd Medical Clinic, 8425 Northcliffe Blvd., Spring Hill, has passed the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board exam and is now certified as a nuclear cardiology technologist.

The board was founded in 1977 to establish and maintain a voluntary program for certification of nuclear medicine technologists. The standards include educational requirements, practical experience and successful completion of a competency exam.

Mertes can be reached at 686-5023.

Events

The Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce will have a ribbon-cutting at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1214 Broad St., Masaryktown, at 11:30 a.m. today. For information, contact Pastor David Brockhoff at 796-4066.

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Java Bean Coffeehouse, 13157 Cortez Blvd., Spring Hill, will have a customer appreciation evening from 6 to 9 p.m. today. Everything will be discounted 10 percent.

In addition, on Wednesday a lunch menu will debut.

For information, call 592-9909.

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The Winning Edge, a chapter of Business Networking International, will meet from 7:15 to 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Weeki Wachee Resort, 6172 Commercial Way, Weeki Wachee.

Bring business cards and network with other area business professionals. Cost is $8, which includes a continental breakfast.

For information, call Edmond Mintah at 684-5884 .

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The Hernando County Home Business Women's Network, Spring Hill Chapter, a noncompete group of women who own home-based businesses, will meet at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Pizza Hut, 2903 Commercial Way, Spring Hill.

New members are welcome. Membership consists of women in the direct sales industry, network marketing, as well as other product- or service-oriented professions. For information, call Sue at 684-9299 or visit www.hchomebusinesswomensnetwork.com.

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The Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce will have its December holiday after-hours mixer at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at 14302 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill.

The event is sponsored by Capital City Bank. Food and beverages will be available. For information, contact Patty Himmelberger at 796-0697.

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Leaders by Design, a chapter of Business Networking International, will meet from 7:15 to 9 a.m. Thursday at the Weeki Wachee Resort, 6172 Commercial Way, Weeki Wachee.

Bring business cards and network with other professionals. Cost is $8, which includes a continental breakfast.

For information, call Scott Kelczewski at 556-6038.

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The Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce will have its monthly Networking at Noon luncheon from noon to 1 p.m. Friday at Bare Bones Fish & Steak House, 3192 Shoal Line Blvd., Hernando Beach.

The cost is $10 per person with a reservation, $15 at the door. RSVP to Patty at 796-0697, ext. 18, by Wednesday.

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Service Corps of Retired Executives, Pasco-Hernando Chapter 439, will offer a free program on how to write an effective business plan for small-business owners from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the New Port Richey Library, 5939 Main St., New Port Richey.

Bill Brydia, a SCORE counselor, will present the program. For information, contact Ann Scott at 727 853-1256 or the SCORE office at (727) 842-4638.

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Artists' Gardens and Stable Thrift Shop, 3795 Broad St., Masaryktown, will have its grand reopening from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

The thrift store is part of the Artists' Gardens and Stable Adult Day Training Center program that serves consumers with disabilities. The store provides a setting for consumers to learn marketing skills, as well as how to meet and greet shoppers who frequent the store.

A new boutique section has been added to the store. There are new and used clothing selections, toys, housewares, china, decorations and craft items made by the attendees. All proceeds benefit the program.

Refreshments and raffles will be available. For information, contact Bess-Mae Jones at (727) 856-7244.

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The Ivy Cottage, 3467 Deltona Blvd., Spring Hill, will hold a holiday open house to benefit the SPCA of Hernando County from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

The business will donate 20 percent of its sales for the day to the SPCA, which operates a nonprofit, no-kill, all-volunteer animal shelter.

The Ivy Cottage is a full-service florist and also offers holiday wreaths, gourmet fruit and chocolate baskets, jewelry, folk art, candles, ornaments and vintage-style home decor items.

Refreshments will be served, and those attending will have a chance to win a basket valued at $50. For information, call 686-0070.

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

Red Shirt Friday

The staff at Accurate Chiropractic Clinic, 4191 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill, is participating in the Red Shirt Friday/Support Our Troops program. Owner Dr. Ann Marra has a brother serving in the Air Force, and Beth Semack has a brother serving in the Navy. Standing, from left, are staff members Jeff Ventetuolo, nationally certified body worker and licensed massage therapist; Erica Jordan, chiropractic assistant; Mary Ammons, certified medical manager, certified chiropractic physician's assistant and certified radiological technician; Beth Semack, chiropractic assistant; and Carol Keadle, chiropractic assistant and insurance specialist. The shirts were ordered through Joni Industries, which threw in free patriotic pins.

[Last modified December 9, 2007, 20:25:13]