MEMBER MICRONEWS

USDA SUBSIDIZED ENERGY AUDITS FOR
ELIGIBLE SMALL BUSINESS OFFERED
IN FLORIDA COMMUNITIES (continued)
The University of Central Florida (UCF) was chosen by the USDA to provide a limited number of subsidized energy audits to eligible small businesses in rural Florida communities. Businesses must be located in a rural census tract and meet small business criteria (annual volume or # of employees.)

Audits will be conducted by staff at UCF’s Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC). FSEC is a nonprofit, UCF research institute that conducts research for and supports many federal, state, and private agencies. FSEC staff can help determine eligibility, answer questions about the subsidized energy audits being offered in Florida, and provide USDA contacts.
To be considered for a subsidized energy audit for your rural small business, contact Janet McIlvaine.
Include the following:
Business name
Address of the building(s) to be audited (must be in Florida*)
General nature of the business (retail, health care, restaurant, pharmacy, etc.)
Your name, title, phone number, and best contact time
More information about the audit and links to USDA resources are here.
Example projects can be found here.
YOU too can play a role in America’s energy independence.

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WATSON CLINIC WELCOMES
TWO NEW PROVIDERS
Watson Clinic has recently expanded their team with the addition of two medical providers.

Italia R. Stuart, ARNP-C, will specialize in gynecologic care under the supervision of Drs. Donald Langley and J. Brian Hopper. Practicing at Watson Clinic’s Lakeland Highlands location on the corner of East CR. 540A and Lakeland Highlands Road in Lakeland, Stuart’s areas of expertise include annual well woman visits, general gynecologic concerns, contraception management and family planning counseling. She will move with the physicians to the new Highlands office under construction, just down the road at 2300 East CR 540A, set for opening in late August 2015. Stuart received her Master’s degree in nursing from the University of Cincinnati. She is a member of the Florida Board of Nursing, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetrics and Neonatal Nurses.

Meanwhile, orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Prashant Desai is pleased to welcome Megan McGee, PA-C, to his practice at Watson Clinic’s Main location on 1600 Lakeland Hills Boulevard in Lakeland. McGee achieved her Physician Assistant degree at Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven. CT. Her areas of expertise include sports physicals, evaluations of upper and lower extremity orthopaedic conditions, joint injections and aspirations, casting, and splinting. Prior to joining Watson Clinic, McGee was spent three years in the orthopaedics department at Altru Health System and over a year working in Student Health Services for the University of North Dakota.
For more information on the impressive credentials of Stuart, McGee or any member of Watson Clinic’s physician and provider team, visit www.WatsonClinic.com. To schedule an OB-GYN appointment at the Lakeland Highlands location, please call 863-680-7243. For orthopaedics appointments at our Main Clinic location, please call 863-680-7214.

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PURPLE HEART PARKING SIGNS
     There are an estimated 1.8 million Purple Heart recipients, combat wounded service members who have transitioned back into civilian life. They have made great sacrifices to ensure our freedoms but often go unrecognized.
     The Sheriff’s office has two Purple Heart “Combat Wounded” parking signs in the front parking lot.
The signs are free, just pay for shipping.
     Wounded Warriors Family Support’s founder, Colonel John Folsom, decided to change that. Wounded Warriors Family Support offers Combat Wounded Parking Signs, free of charge, to establishments as a way of honoring and recognizing these veterans.
     The response has been tremendous, stretching from coast to coast. The signs have been placed in the parking lots of businesses, churches, schools and colleges, government, and medical facilities.
     For more information about Combat Wounded Parking Signs, please fill out the contact form below or call Ron Julianelle at Wounded Warriors Family Support at (402) 502-7557.

Download the Combat Warriors Parking Sign Form Here.

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POLK COUNTY HISTORY CENTER SCHEDULE
Journey into Polk history this month at the Polk County History Center. The following programs and events are open to the public and free of charge:
July 3 and 4: Holiday Closing
The History Center will be closed on Friday and Saturday, July 3 and 4 in observance of Independence Day. The History Center will re-open on Tuesday, July 7.
July 11, 10 a.m. to noon - Family Fun Day
Join the History Center for Family Fun Day as we celebrate Victory Florida, honoring the heroes and heroines of World War II. Families will have the opportunity to visit our newest exhibition, Victory Florida: Honoring Polk County's World War II Contributions - featuring artifacts and biographies on extraordinary men and women from Polk. Optional activities include creating a commemorative medal, making a name banner using maritime signal flags, writing a thank you note to a Polk Veteran and a storytelling session at 11 am. Family Fun Day occurs the second Saturday of each month.
July 18, 11 a.m. - Architectural Tour
Join us for a family friendly architectural tour of the History Center and learn more about Neoclassical architecture, the construction of the building and the stories behind the iconic Old Polk County Courthouse. The architectural tour is on the third Saturday of each month at 11 a.m.

July 21, 12:15 to 1 p.m. - Lunch and Learn Join graphic designer and writer Rick Kilby for his presentation, “From Sand Mountain to the Coral Castle: The Dixie Highway and Roadside Attractions in Florida.” For more than 25 years, Kilby has studied Florida’s popular history and presented topics in interesting and visual ways. Kilby is committed to spreading the word about preserving the natural and historic resources of Florida. His mission is to motivate other Floridians to appreciate the wonders of their state, including many, like Sand Mountain, which no longer exist. The Lunch and Learn lecture series occurs the third Tuesday of every month, January through November.

July 23, 4 to 6 p.m. – New Exhibit Opening – Good Reasons for Good Roads: Celebrating the Dixie Highway at 100 Years The Dixie Highway’s initial route officially opened in 1915 and transformed the cultural landscape of Florida. In honor of this ambitious construction project, Good Reasons for Good Roads: Celebrating the Dixie Highway at 100 Years is a temporary exhibit exploring early highways, the people who travelled them and a new era of tourism development in the state’s history. The exhibit will be on display through August 2016.

On-going Events: Victory Florida: Honoring Polk County’s WWII Contributions
Aug. 15 marks the 70-year anniversary of V-Day, or Victory Day, which marked the end of World War II in 1945. The Florida Department of State is commemorating this important anniversary with the Victory Florida campaign, which honors and celebrates the heroes and heroines of World War II while educating Floridians about the important role our state played on the battlefield and home front. The History Center has developed an exhibition entitled Victory Florida: Honoring Polk County’s WWII Contributions, to collaborate with the State’s Victory Florida theme. The exhibit tells the story of ordinary men and women doing extraordinary things for their country during World War II. Victory Florida: Honoring Polk County’s WWII Contributions will be on display through September 2016.

About the Polk County History Center: The History Center is located at 100 E. Main St. in Bartow and is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Visit www.polkhistorycenter.org or call (863) 534-4386 for more information on exhibits and programming. All events and programming are free and open to the public.

###

CHARITY GOLF TOURNEY
TO BENEFIT SHRINERS HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN
Tindale Oliver's first annual Charity Golf Tournament will be held at Summerfield Crossings and Golf Club on Saturday, September 26, 2015 from noon until 5 p.m. For more information, contact Scott Michael, 813-224-8862, Ext. 1245 or
Andrea Sauvageot, 813-224-8862, Ext. 1282

###

CITRUS CONNECTION'S BUS ROUTE
EXPERIENCING CAPACITY ISSUES

Due to impending necessary budget cuts at Citrus Connection - Lakeland’s public transit entity – bus riders are already starting to feel the effects, even before the main cutbacks are initiated on July 6^th next month.

As a byproduct of the recent staff reductions and successful proactive relocation initiative by Citrus Connection, Route 1 (South Florida Ave) service was changed from 30 minute pick-up service to 1 hour pick up service June 8th through July 6^th.

The bus on Route 1 is currently transporting 50-80 people per stop who are trying to get to work and appointments in that area.

On July 6^th, Route 1 service will revert back from 1 hour pick-up to 30 minute pick-up service.

Public transit in Polk County is provided by Citrus Connection, Winter Haven Area Transit and Polk County Transit Services, operated through Polk County. Citrus Connection picks up and delivers more than 6,000 people to work, play and school and other destinations every day. They provide specialized transportation for citizens who are unable to use regular service. For more information regarding the program, visit www.ridecitrus.com.

###

SBAC ONLINE RESOURCES LISTED

The Polk County Small Business Assistance Center is pleased to announce 2 additional online resources for Polk County small business owners.

The updated website now features a FAQ section that can answer most preliminary questions that perspective small business owners have. In addition a downloadable strategic plan is available for business owners that are at any stage in their operation that wish to formulate or revise their existing strategic plan.

Links to SBAC website/homepage as well as links to the FAQ and Strategic Business Plan (also on the SBAC homepage) can be found below.

http://www.cfdc.org/sbac/

http://www.cfdc.org/CentralFlorida/media/Central-Florida/Start%20Expand/SBAC-FAQ-2015.pdf

http://www.cfdc.org/CentralFlorida/media/Central-Florida/Start%20Expand/SBAC-Strategic-Development-Plan-2015.pdf


MEMBER MICRONEWS USDA SUBSIDIZED ENERGY AUDITS FOR ELIGIBLE SMALL BUSINESS OFFERED IN FLORIDA COMMUNITIES (continued) The University of Central Florida (UCF) was chosen by the USDA to provide a limited number of subsidized energy audits to eligible small businesses in rural Florida communities. Businesses must be located in a rural census tract and meet small business criteria (annual volume or # of employees.) Audits will be conducted by staff at UCF’s Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC). FSEC is a nonprofit, UCF research institute that conducts research for and supports many federal, state, and private agencies. FSEC staff can help determine eligibility, answer questions about the subsidized energy audits being offered in Florida, and provide USDA contacts. To be considered for a subsidized energy audit for your rural small business, contact Janet McIlvaine. Include the following: Business name Address of the building(s) to be audited (must be in Florida) General nature of the business (retail, health care, restaurant, pharmacy, etc.) Your name, title, phone number, and best contact time More information about the audit and links to USDA resources are here. Example projects can be found here. YOU too can play a role in America’s energy independence. ###* WATSON CLINIC WELCOMES TWO NEW PROVIDERS Watson Clinic has recently expanded their team with the addition of two medical providers. Italia R. Stuart, ARNP-C, will specialize in gynecologic care under the supervision of Drs. Donald Langley and J. Brian Hopper. Practicing at Watson Clinic’s Lakeland Highlands location on the corner of East CR. 540A and Lakeland Highlands Road in Lakeland, Stuart’s areas of expertise include annual well woman visits, general gynecologic concerns, contraception management and family planning counseling. She will move with the physicians to the new Highlands office under construction, just down the road at 2300 East CR 540A, set for opening in late August 2015. Stuart received her Master’s degree in nursing from the University of Cincinnati. She is a member of the Florida Board of Nursing, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetrics and Neonatal Nurses. Meanwhile, orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Prashant Desai is pleased to welcome Megan McGee, PA-C, to his practice at Watson Clinic’s Main location on 1600 Lakeland Hills Boulevard in Lakeland. McGee achieved her Physician Assistant degree at Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven. CT. Her areas of expertise include sports physicals, evaluations of upper and lower extremity orthopaedic conditions, joint injections and aspirations, casting, and splinting. Prior to joining Watson Clinic, McGee was spent three years in the orthopaedics department at Altru Health System and over a year working in Student Health Services for the University of North Dakota. For more information on the impressive credentials of Stuart, McGee or any member of Watson Clinic’s physician and provider team, visit www.WatsonClinic.com. To schedule an OB-GYN appointment at the Lakeland Highlands location, please call 863-680-7243. For orthopaedics appointments at our Main Clinic location, please call 863-680-7214. ### PURPLE HEART PARKING SIGNS There are an estimated 1.8 million Purple Heart recipients, combat wounded service members who have transitioned back into civilian life. They have made great sacrifices to ensure our freedoms but often go unrecognized. The Sheriff’s office has two Purple Heart “Combat Wounded” parking signs in the front parking lot. The signs are free, just pay for shipping. Wounded Warriors Family Support’s founder, Colonel John Folsom, decided to change that. Wounded Warriors Family Support offers Combat Wounded Parking Signs, free of charge, to establishments as a way of honoring and recognizing these veterans. The response has been tremendous, stretching from coast to coast. The signs have been placed in the parking lots of businesses, churches, schools and colleges, government, and medical facilities. For more information about Combat Wounded Parking Signs, please fill out the contact form below or call Ron Julianelle at Wounded Warriors Family Support at (402) 502-7557. Download the Combat Warriors Parking Sign Form Here. ### POLK COUNTY HISTORY CENTER SCHEDULE Journey into Polk history this month at the Polk County History Center. The following programs and events are open to the public and free of charge: July 3 and 4: Holiday Closing The History Center will be closed on Friday and Saturday, July 3 and 4 in observance of Independence Day. The History Center will re-open on Tuesday, July 7. July 11, 10 a.m. to noon - Family Fun Day Join the History Center for Family Fun Day as we celebrate Victory Florida, honoring the heroes and heroines of World War II. Families will have the opportunity to visit our newest exhibition, Victory Florida: Honoring Polk County's World War II Contributions - featuring artifacts and biographies on extraordinary men and women from Polk. Optional activities include creating a commemorative medal, making a name banner using maritime signal flags, writing a thank you note to a Polk Veteran and a storytelling session at 11 am. Family Fun Day occurs the second Saturday of each month. July 18, 11 a.m. - Architectural Tour Join us for a family friendly architectural tour of the History Center and learn more about Neoclassical architecture, the construction of the building and the stories behind the iconic Old Polk County Courthouse. The architectural tour is on the third Saturday of each month at 11 a.m. July 21, 12:15 to 1 p.m. - Lunch and Learn Join graphic designer and writer Rick Kilby for his presentation, “From Sand Mountain to the Coral Castle: The Dixie Highway and Roadside Attractions in Florida.” For more than 25 years, Kilby has studied Florida’s popular history and presented topics in interesting and visual ways. Kilby is committed to spreading the word about preserving the natural and historic resources of Florida. His mission is to motivate other Floridians to appreciate the wonders of their state, including many, like Sand Mountain, which no longer exist. The Lunch and Learn lecture series occurs the third Tuesday of every month, January through November. July 23, 4 to 6 p.m. – New Exhibit Opening – Good Reasons for Good Roads: Celebrating the Dixie Highway at 100 Years The Dixie Highway’s initial route officially opened in 1915 and transformed the cultural landscape of Florida. In honor of this ambitious construction project, Good Reasons for Good Roads: Celebrating the Dixie Highway at 100 Years is a temporary exhibit exploring early highways, the people who travelled them and a new era of tourism development in the state’s history. The exhibit will be on display through August 2016. On-going Events: Victory Florida: Honoring Polk County’s WWII Contributions Aug. 15 marks the 70-year anniversary of V-Day, or Victory Day, which marked the end of World War II in 1945. The Florida Department of State is commemorating this important anniversary with the Victory Florida campaign, which honors and celebrates the heroes and heroines of World War II while educating Floridians about the important role our state played on the battlefield and home front. The History Center has developed an exhibition entitled Victory Florida: Honoring Polk County’s WWII Contributions, to collaborate with the State’s Victory Florida theme. The exhibit tells the story of ordinary men and women doing extraordinary things for their country during World War II. Victory Florida: Honoring Polk County’s WWII Contributions will be on display through September 2016. About the Polk County History Center: The History Center is located at 100 E. Main St. in Bartow and is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Visit www.polkhistorycenter.org or call (863) 534-4386 for more information on exhibits and programming. All events and programming are free and open to the public. ### CHARITY GOLF TOURNEY TO BENEFIT SHRINERS HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN Tindale Oliver's first annual Charity Golf Tournament will be held at Summerfield Crossings and Golf Club on Saturday, September 26, 2015 from noon until 5 p.m. For more information, contact Scott Michael, 813-224-8862, Ext. 1245 or Andrea Sauvageot, 813-224-8862, Ext. 1282 ### CITRUS CONNECTION'S BUS ROUTE EXPERIENCING CAPACITY ISSUES Due to impending necessary budget cuts at Citrus Connection - Lakeland’s public transit entity – bus riders are already starting to feel the effects, even before the main cutbacks are initiated on July 6^th next month. As a byproduct of the recent staff reductions and successful proactive relocation initiative by Citrus Connection, Route 1 (South Florida Ave) service was changed from 30 minute pick-up service to 1 hour pick up service June 8th through July 6^th. The bus on Route 1 is currently transporting 50-80 people per stop who are trying to get to work and appointments in that area. On July 6^th, Route 1 service will revert back from 1 hour pick-up to 30 minute pick-up service. Public transit in Polk County is provided by Citrus Connection, Winter Haven Area Transit and Polk County Transit Services, operated through Polk County. Citrus Connection picks up and delivers more than 6,000 people to work, play and school and other destinations every day. They provide specialized transportation for citizens who are unable to use regular service. For more information regarding the program, visit www.ridecitrus.com. ### SBAC ONLINE RESOURCES LISTED The Polk County Small Business Assistance Center is pleased to announce 2 additional online resources for Polk County small business owners. The updated website now features a FAQ section that can answer most preliminary questions that perspective small business owners have. In addition a downloadable strategic plan is available for business owners that are at any stage in their operation that wish to formulate or revise their existing strategic plan. Links to SBAC website/homepage as well as links to the FAQ and Strategic Business Plan (also on the SBAC homepage) can be found below. http://www.cfdc.org/sbac/ http://www.cfdc.org/CentralFlorida/media/Central-Florida/Start%20Expand/SBAC-FAQ-2015.pdf http://www.cfdc.org/CentralFlorida/media/Central-Florida/Start%20Expand/SBAC-Strategic-Development-Plan-2015.pdf
Newsletter1 - June 29, 2015