MEMBER NEWS

TOUR DE TOW ROAD TOUR & BILL BONE PRO-AM SERIES SET: Cycling in South Florida is about to reach a whole new level of adrenaline rushing excitement with the debut of the $100,000 Bill Bone Pro-Am race series, a zMotion and WAM Events production. From Miami, West Palm Beach to Bartow, this inaugural season is set to become a memorable, wheel to wheel racing, fun for the whole family. The Fall series comes to Bartow for the Tour de Tow. This will be pure cycling passion and the most exhilarating race series cyclists have seen in years.
The two Days of Polk County Bike Racing, kicks off with the Tour de Tow Road tour on Saturday, September 24, 2011. This on-road cycling tour takes cyclists along the scenic back roads of southern Polk County. Choose from a Family Fun Ride of 16 miles for $15.00, 37 Mile TowTour $30.00, and 65 Mile TowTour, $35.00. Tandem riders are invited to participate, too. Just add 15.00 for extra rider. Registration is at 7:00 a.m. ride begins at 8:00 a.m.
Main Street, Bartow will start sizzling at 2:00 p.m. with $100,000 Bill Bone Pro-Am, Criterium, which is part of the USA cycling national ranking system and part of the Florida Point SeriesTM. Racing will continue until 9:30 p.m. Spectators are encouraged and welcome. Local restaurants will be open and ready with sidewalk seating for spectator viewing of the races. A special presentation with racing cyclists to a special group of up and coming cyclists, the Power Pedalers, will be early Saturday evening. New bikes are presented to kids who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford one. So far the Pedalers have provided 30 bikes to kids in need in just one year. If you know of any one or company out there who would like to be a sponsor, please call Trish Pfeiffer, (863) 640-1024. The more money we have the more bikes we give away. At the Bloomin’ Bike Ride we gave away 8 bikes. Registration for the Tour de Tow Road Tour can be found at www.active.com. Registration for the Bill Bone ProAm-Series can be found at www.billboneproam.com or call Trish Pfeiffer, (863) 640-1024, for more information.

ROTARY NIGHT TO RAISE FUNDS FOR DICTIONARY PROJECT: On Tuesday, September 13, 2011, the Bartow Rotary Clubs will be holding Rotary Night in downtown Bartow. This event will consist of participating restaurants and merchants donating 10 percent of the proceeds of the night’s revenues to the Bartow Rotary Clubs’ Elementary School Dictionary Project. The merchants that will be participating in this event include: Cookie Jar Bakeshop, Hacienda Mexico, Havana Delights, Palace Pizza, The Cool Shoppe, The Doggie Bag, Parker Place, The Peace River Center Thrift Shop, Oasis Salon & Day Spa ( Call 533-5078 for appt. that evening for massage, facials, hairstyling and manicures ), Tay-cho (who will be donating 10 percent of the money raised from drawing portraits that night), 5-Star Skate Shop, Bartow Flowers and Gifts, The Stanford Inn & Tea Room, and The Wine Stable.
Other businesses may decide to participate as well when they hear about the event, which should start at 5:00 p.m. and end no later than 9:00 p.m.
The Bartow Rotary Clubs are attempting to raise the necessary funding to purchase a sufficient number of dictionaries for third, fourth and fifth grade students in the elementary schools in Bartow, Fort Meade, Alturas, and Spessard Holland Elementary. The Bartow Rotary Clubs will purchase and distribute over 1,000 more dictionaries than the usual number that has been distributed by the Clubs over the past 10 to 12 years. The Rotary Clubs will need to raise over $3,000 to purchase the dictionaries.
Anyone having questions are asked to call Steve Githens, Bartow Rotary Club president, at (863) 529-8679.

RELAY FOR LIFE OF BARTOW CHOSEN FOR ACS CANCER STUDY: The American Cancer Society’s (ACS) Relay For Life of Bartow gives everyone a chance to help the organization save lives now in more ways than raising funds.
Relay For Life of Bartow participants for the April 20, 21, 2012 event will be asked to take part in a long-term study on cancer prevention.
“We’re honored that the American Cancer Society has chosen Bartow for this important study,” Chief Joe Hall of the Bartow Police Department and 2012 Relay For Life of Bartow Chair, said. “I believe we are the first Relay in Polk County to be asked, and I feel it’s because the people of Bartow have shown resolve and commitment in the fight against cancer.”
Individuals who are between the ages of 30-65, who have never been diagnosed with cancer, and are willing to commit to the study, may enroll at the 2012 Relay for Life of Bartow for the ACS Cancer Prevention Study 3. For more information, visit www.cancer.org/cps3 or call (888) 604-5888.

WORKFORCE EDUCATION, A-C-T ARE TEAMS TO BEAT AT SPELLING BEE: John Small, Workforce Education, Polk County School Board’s spelling team will defend their title at the READ Polk Annual Corporate Spelling Bee on September 22, 2011 at Nora Mayo Hall in Winter Haven. There are several teams anxious to win over John’s team and take home the traveling trophy to be proudly displayed at their company for a year. Among them is Rob Kincart’s A-C-T team from Bartow. Rob is the president-elect of the Bartow Chamber.
Other companies competing in the spelling competition (a fun time) so far are: Publix Super Markets Charities; Mosaic Fertilizer; United Way of Central Florida; GEICO; TECO;MIDFLORIDA Credit Union; PenGeo, dba KFC; State Farm Insurance agent Michell Githens, Bartow; Cheryl Beckert, Winter Haven; and Joy Morse, Lakeland; Winter Haven Hospital, Polk State College; Learning Resource Center; Community Southern Bank, and, of course A-C-T and Workforce Education PCSB.
This fundraiser for READ Polk, Inc. will be held on September 22, 2011 will BEEgin 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Dinner is being catered by Southern Gourmet (a member of the Fred’s Southern Kitchen family); adult and soft drinks, silent auction with thousands in items and gift cards, including getaways, restaurant certificates, tourist attractions and many more. There will be live entertainment during social hour. Property Appraiser Marsha Faux and Senator Paula Dockery (if her schedule at Presidency 5 permits) will be celebrity bartenders.
Openings for teams are still being accepted, and encouraged. A Bumble Bee table is $500 for a table of eight and one speller and includes all the above except silent auction. For information, sponsorships, donation of silent auction items, call Shirley Whitney, READ Polk Executive Director at 863-797-6253 or e-mail READPolked@tampabay.rr.com. Don’t miss the fun evening and friendly competition.

WATSON CLINIC WELCOMES PULMONARY SPECIALIST: Watson Clinic is pleased to welcome Roman Gimpelevich, MD, to its team of pulmonologists. Dr. Gimpelevich will treat patients during their stay at Lakeland Regional Medical Center and see patients at the Main Clinic location for pulmonary hypertension and hospital follow-up visits. His areas of expertise include the treatment of pulmonary conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, pulmonary hypertension and interstitial lung diseases.
Dr. Gimpelevich received his medical degree from Rush Medical College in Chicago, IL, and performed his internship and residency in internal medicine at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. He performed a fellowship in pulmonary and critical care at the University of South Florida in Tampa, FL.
Dr. Gimpelevich is a member of the American College of Chest Physicians, the Florida Medical Association, the Polk County Medical Association and the Society of Critical Care Medicine. He is board-certified in internal medicine and pulmonary diseases by the American Board of Internal Medicine.
Appointments may be scheduled by calling 863-680-7190. More information and physician credentials are available online at www.WatsonClinic.com.
As one of the largest multispecialty medical clinics in the southeast, Watson Clinic provides comprehensive healthcare services to residents of Lakeland and surrounding communities.
First established in 1941, Watson Clinic has grown to include over 200 board-certified physicians representing 40 medical and surgical specialties.
The Clinic continues the legacy of improving the delivery of health care at the Main Clinic, 1600 Lakeland Hills Boulevard in Lakeland, as well as at 16 other convenient locations in Polk, Pasco and Hillsborough counties.
More information is available at: www.WatsonClinic.com.

HIRING HEROES, VETERAN AND COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT FAIR COMING: Polk Works is offering a Veteran and Community Employment Fair, set for Thursday, October 13, 2011 at Polk State College (Winter Haven Campus) in the gymnasium.
Employers are urged to register for the event. Employer set up is at 9:00 a.m.
The fair is open to everyone from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Veterans receive early entrance at 10:00 a.m.
If you are an employer and would like to participate, please register at www.polkworks.org or call (863) 508-1600, ext. 1102 for more information. Registration deadline is October 10.


MEMBER NEWS TOUR DE TOW ROAD TOUR & BILL BONE PRO-AM SERIES SET: Cycling in South Florida is about to reach a whole new level of adrenaline rushing excitement with the debut of the $100,000 Bill Bone Pro-Am race series, a zMotion and WAM Events production. From Miami, West Palm Beach to Bartow, this inaugural season is set to become a memorable, wheel to wheel racing, fun for the whole family. The Fall series comes to Bartow for the Tour de Tow. This will be pure cycling passion and the most exhilarating race series cyclists have seen in years. The two Days of Polk County Bike Racing, kicks off with the Tour de Tow Road tour on Saturday, September 24, 2011. This on-road cycling tour takes cyclists along the scenic back roads of southern Polk County. Choose from a Family Fun Ride of 16 miles for $15.00, 37 Mile TowTour $30.00, and 65 Mile TowTour, $35.00. Tandem riders are invited to participate, too. Just add 15.00 for extra rider. Registration is at 7:00 a.m. ride begins at 8:00 a.m. Main Street, Bartow will start sizzling at 2:00 p.m. with $100,000 Bill Bone Pro-Am, Criterium, which is part of the USA cycling national ranking system and part of the Florida Point SeriesTM. Racing will continue until 9:30 p.m. Spectators are encouraged and welcome. Local restaurants will be open and ready with sidewalk seating for spectator viewing of the races. A special presentation with racing cyclists to a special group of up and coming cyclists, the Power Pedalers, will be early Saturday evening. New bikes are presented to kids who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford one. So far the Pedalers have provided 30 bikes to kids in need in just one year. If you know of any one or company out there who would like to be a sponsor, please call Trish Pfeiffer, (863) 640-1024. The more money we have the more bikes we give away. At the Bloomin’ Bike Ride we gave away 8 bikes. Registration for the Tour de Tow Road Tour can be found at www.active.com. Registration for the Bill Bone ProAm-Series can be found at www.billboneproam.com or call Trish Pfeiffer, (863) 640-1024, for more information. ROTARY NIGHT TO RAISE FUNDS FOR DICTIONARY PROJECT: On Tuesday, September 13, 2011, the Bartow Rotary Clubs will be holding Rotary Night in downtown Bartow. This event will consist of participating restaurants and merchants donating 10 percent of the proceeds of the night’s revenues to the Bartow Rotary Clubs’ Elementary School Dictionary Project. The merchants that will be participating in this event include: Cookie Jar Bakeshop, Hacienda Mexico, Havana Delights, Palace Pizza, The Cool Shoppe, The Doggie Bag, Parker Place, The Peace River Center Thrift Shop, Oasis Salon & Day Spa ( Call 533-5078 for appt. that evening for massage, facials, hairstyling and manicures ), Tay-cho (who will be donating 10 percent of the money raised from drawing portraits that night), 5-Star Skate Shop, Bartow Flowers and Gifts, The Stanford Inn & Tea Room, and The Wine Stable. Other businesses may decide to participate as well when they hear about the event, which should start at 5:00 p.m. and end no later than 9:00 p.m. The Bartow Rotary Clubs are attempting to raise the necessary funding to purchase a sufficient number of dictionaries for third, fourth and fifth grade students in the elementary schools in Bartow, Fort Meade, Alturas, and Spessard Holland Elementary. The Bartow Rotary Clubs will purchase and distribute over 1,000 more dictionaries than the usual number that has been distributed by the Clubs over the past 10 to 12 years. The Rotary Clubs will need to raise over $3,000 to purchase the dictionaries. Anyone having questions are asked to call Steve Githens, Bartow Rotary Club president, at (863) 529-8679. RELAY FOR LIFE OF BARTOW CHOSEN FOR ACS CANCER STUDY: The American Cancer Society’s (ACS) Relay For Life of Bartow gives everyone a chance to help the organization save lives now in more ways than raising funds. Relay For Life of Bartow participants for the April 20, 21, 2012 event will be asked to take part in a long-term study on cancer prevention. “We’re honored that the American Cancer Society has chosen Bartow for this important study,” Chief Joe Hall of the Bartow Police Department and 2012 Relay For Life of Bartow Chair, said. “I believe we are the first Relay in Polk County to be asked, and I feel it’s because the people of Bartow have shown resolve and commitment in the fight against cancer.” Individuals who are between the ages of 30-65, who have never been diagnosed with cancer, and are willing to commit to the study, may enroll at the 2012 Relay for Life of Bartow for the ACS Cancer Prevention Study 3. For more information, visit www.cancer.org/cps3 or call (888) 604-5888. WORKFORCE EDUCATION, A-C-T ARE TEAMS TO BEAT AT SPELLING BEE: John Small, Workforce Education, Polk County School Board’s spelling team will defend their title at the READ Polk Annual Corporate Spelling Bee on September 22, 2011 at Nora Mayo Hall in Winter Haven. There are several teams anxious to win over John’s team and take home the traveling trophy to be proudly displayed at their company for a year. Among them is Rob Kincart’s A-C-T team from Bartow. Rob is the president-elect of the Bartow Chamber. Other companies competing in the spelling competition (a fun time) so far are: Publix Super Markets Charities; Mosaic Fertilizer; United Way of Central Florida; GEICO; TECO;MIDFLORIDA Credit Union; PenGeo, dba KFC; State Farm Insurance agent Michell Githens, Bartow; Cheryl Beckert, Winter Haven; and Joy Morse, Lakeland; Winter Haven Hospital, Polk State College; Learning Resource Center; Community Southern Bank, and, of course A-C-T and Workforce Education PCSB. This fundraiser for READ Polk, Inc. will be held on September 22, 2011 will BEEgin 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Dinner is being catered by Southern Gourmet (a member of the Fred’s Southern Kitchen family); adult and soft drinks, silent auction with thousands in items and gift cards, including getaways, restaurant certificates, tourist attractions and many more. There will be live entertainment during social hour. Property Appraiser Marsha Faux and Senator Paula Dockery (if her schedule at Presidency 5 permits) will be celebrity bartenders. Openings for teams are still being accepted, and encouraged. A Bumble Bee table is $500 for a table of eight and one speller and includes all the above except silent auction. For information, sponsorships, donation of silent auction items, call Shirley Whitney, READ Polk Executive Director at 863-797-6253 or e-mail READPolked@tampabay.rr.com. Don’t miss the fun evening and friendly competition. WATSON CLINIC WELCOMES PULMONARY SPECIALIST: Watson Clinic is pleased to welcome Roman Gimpelevich, MD, to its team of pulmonologists. Dr. Gimpelevich will treat patients during their stay at Lakeland Regional Medical Center and see patients at the Main Clinic location for pulmonary hypertension and hospital follow-up visits. His areas of expertise include the treatment of pulmonary conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, pulmonary hypertension and interstitial lung diseases. Dr. Gimpelevich received his medical degree from Rush Medical College in Chicago, IL, and performed his internship and residency in internal medicine at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. He performed a fellowship in pulmonary and critical care at the University of South Florida in Tampa, FL. Dr. Gimpelevich is a member of the American College of Chest Physicians, the Florida Medical Association, the Polk County Medical Association and the Society of Critical Care Medicine. He is board-certified in internal medicine and pulmonary diseases by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Appointments may be scheduled by calling 863-680-7190. More information and physician credentials are available online at www.WatsonClinic.com. As one of the largest multispecialty medical clinics in the southeast, Watson Clinic provides comprehensive healthcare services to residents of Lakeland and surrounding communities. First established in 1941, Watson Clinic has grown to include over 200 board-certified physicians representing 40 medical and surgical specialties. The Clinic continues the legacy of improving the delivery of health care at the Main Clinic, 1600 Lakeland Hills Boulevard in Lakeland, as well as at 16 other convenient locations in Polk, Pasco and Hillsborough counties. More information is available at: www.WatsonClinic.com. HIRING HEROES, VETERAN AND COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT FAIR COMING: Polk Works is offering a Veteran and Community Employment Fair, set for Thursday, October 13, 2011 at Polk State College (Winter Haven Campus) in the gymnasium. Employers are urged to register for the event. Employer set up is at 9:00 a.m. The fair is open to everyone from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Veterans receive early entrance at 10:00 a.m. If you are an employer and would like to participate, please register at www.polkworks.org or call (863) 508-1600, ext. 1102 for more information. Registration deadline is October 10.
Newsletter - September 2011 Business Update Newsletter