Cristi Cola in conversation with Regina AaMacha

April  Luncheon 

Chairwoman Darlene Trieste welcomed everyone to the Luncheon on Wednesday, April 20^th  at the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa in the Tampa Bay room.  Normajeanne's table included  new members and Sara Evans of member  Fifth Third Bank  who is now back with us in the Safety Harbor area, and Eric Huffman, new representative for Bright House. Safety Harbor City Manager Matt Spoor informed us that the entry signage to the City was approved at the Commission meeting.  Matt reminded the businesses that  Façade Grants are available to those businesses in the CRA.

Guest speaker Rhonda Sanborn of Visit St. Pete/  Clearwater and Darlene Trieste

Scott Long, Chairman of the Public Arts Committee spoke of  the increase of art in public areas around town.  Scott invited everyone to attend  meetings which are held the second Monday of the month.  You can find the Public Arts Committee on Facebook and the City's website.

Our guest speaker was Rhonda Sanborn from the Clearwater/St. Petersburg Visitors Bureau.  Some facts that were shared are: 

 

• 85 Visitors equals one Florida job
• 35,000 jobs have been created in tourism this year
• Our visitors are 91.5% domestic
• Our visitors profile is approximately $109,744 in household income, average age of 47.8, 73% come by plane and 94.4% use internet for trip information
• 13 million  annual visitors to Pinellas County
• Number one reason people come to our area is for the beaches
• Theme this year is "Every Day is Sun Day"
• National Tourism Week is May 7-17^th 

 

 

 

 

Bonnie Walters, Rhonda Sanborn & Normajeanne Anderson

Normajeanne presented plaques to new members Regina Aamacha of Safety Harbor Musicians Co-Op and Amy Ottaviano of Rollar's Cookies, while Darlene Trieste photographed the event. Welcome to our new members! Our door prize winners were  guest Jim Nixon of Metro Charities, Amy Ottaviano of Rollar's Cookies, Tony Cola of Nick P. Cola, CPA, P.A., Susan Petersen of Coffee News, Rhonda Sanborn of CVB,  Bryan Centers of SunTrust and Regina Aamacha of Safety Harbor Musicians Co-Op.

Thank you to the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa for the wonderful lunch and scrumptious chocolate cake for dessert. Yum!

 

Chamber members enjoying LuLu's new outdoor deck

Business After Hours

LuLu's was the site of the recent Business After Hours event held on April 13th.  Lulu's held their Formal Grand Opening the weekend of March 26th during Bloom N Garden N Chalk Fest.  Lulu's proprietors Lindsey Clewer and her husband, Amadeu Fortes, were the gracious hosts of the monthly chamber event. Members mingled throughout the newly designed restaurant, enjoying the expanded deck area and admiring the newly added fire pit - no, it wasn't lit, but hold that thought temporarily because it is sure to be quite the welcome feature come those chilly Florida nights next winter!

Board Member Chuck Ketcher & Chamber Member James Montgomery

With numerous artists in attendance, including chamber member Stacy Roth and volunteer Carol Zieres, the networking evolved into inspiration as a few guests began brainstorming at the mention of Lindsey's plans to soon re-do the mural on the outside back wall of Syd Entel Galleries. Murals have become part of the artistic culture now thriving in Safety Harbor, with several of the local murals featuring the work of Safety Harbor artists.

Diane & Rick Cunningham with fellow Chamber member Kim DiCanini

Chamber chairman, Darlene Trieste and chairman-elect, Marie Padavich were among the attendees who enjoyed samples from LuLu's Picanha-Brazilian barbeque menu - a wonderful addition to Safety Harbor's growing array of eclectic restaurant choices.  Featuring the music of local musicians, a unique menu consisting of a buffet and skewers of ribeye, sausage, lamb, tri-tip, and pork tenderloin, together with an ambience quite fitting the quaintness of Safety Harbor, Lulu's is sure to become a Safety Harbor favorite in no time. You can contact LuLu's at 727-216-6648 or on the web at www.lulussteakhouse.com.

April Third Friday

Judith Overcash greeting guests at the merchandise tent

The first Grapefruit Legacy Fest was a great success.  Shopping, dining, music, vendors and grapefruit delicacies were the order of the day, and the crowds of families were enjoying every minute!  The benefitting charity for April's 3rd Friday was the Safety Harbor Public Library Foundation. 

Lisa Jones answers questions about Safety Harbor Senior Living

On Friday night at the Chamber

of Commerce, there was a lot of activity as Lisa Jones, LPN, Executive Director of Safety Harbor Senior Living, was dishing out fresh strawberry shortcake to visitors.  Lisa was also there to answer questions about Safety Harbor Senior Living which is expected to open late summer.  If you or someone in your family is looking for a new residence with Assisted Living  or Memory Care support, please consider Safety Harbor Senior Living.  Compassionate Care, plus the ability to reside right in the heart of downtown Safety Harbor is a BIG plus.  Contact Lisa Jones for more information at 727-723-1935 or lisajones@shseniorliving.com.  They are located at 101 Main Street in Safety Harbor and check out their website at www.shseniorliving.com.

Scott Jarnac of Morgan Stanley talking to Chamber visitors on 3rd Friday

Scott Jarnac, Financial Advisor from Morgan Stanley Smith Barney was also on hand to talk about the important financial services available to help you realize your financial goals. Scott has worked in structured finance and advising for over 21 years, and his experience is invaluable to help you make the right decisions. For example, how do you take advantage of a 401K plan?  How do you build a financial plan for your children's college? How do you do plan for retirement?  When should you buy stocks??? bonds??? ETF's?  The list goes on and on...so contact Scott for more information at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney,  4114 Woodlands Parkway, Suite 200, in Palm Harbor.  You can contact Scott at 727-773-4642 or scott.jarmac@mssb.com.

Stormwater - Only Rain Down the Drain

When someone thinks of Florida they immediately think of water.  Florida's waters attract many vacationers to our beautiful area.  The City of Safety Harbor will soon be required to comply with stricter water quality limits for stormwater entering Tampa Bay.  In fact, on April 4^th, 2011 the City adopted a resolution on Fertilizer Regulations to protect our waterways.  Studies have found that nitrogen is one of the major contributors to the present poor water quality of Old Tampa Bay by causing algae blooms that deplete oxygen needed by the fish and sea grass.  More than 10,000 tons of lawn fertilizers were sold in Pinellas and our neighboring counties from July 2008- June 2009.  A recent Tampa Bay Estuary Program, (TBEP), study of Old Tampa Bay clearly identifies fertilizers used on surrounding urban lands as the cause of "mystery muck" in the upper part of Tampa Bay - immediately adjacent to Safety Harbor. The cost of removing nitrogen from stormwater can amount to anywhere from $40,000 to $100,000 per ton. 

Residents can do their part in restoring Tampa Bay's healthy condition if they will:

• Abide by the fertilizer ban and refrain from its use during the June 1st   to September 30th period.
• Collect and bag for removal all grass clippings or leaves.
•  Do not place or rake any material of any kind into a street gutter, catch basin or drainage way.
•  Follow water-use restrictions to help conserve our water resources

If we all do our part, Tampa Bay can be returned to its former beauty and considerable recreational value.

By Debbie Drees, City of Safety Harbor Staff Engineer