SARASOTA -- The School Board of Sarasota County’s new $31.8 million Sarasota County Technical Institute designed by SchenkelShultz Architecture received an Award of Merit at ENR Southeast magazine’s 2011 Best Projects Awards presented in Orlando.
The firm and the newly constructed facility were showcased in the July 2011 issue of School Planning & Management magazine.
Willis A. Smith Construction, Inc., Sarasota, served as construction manager for the project. The 198,454-square-foot facility is the second of three phases designed by SchenkelShultz at the 52-acre Sarasota Technical Center campus.
The new technical center blends polytechnical and technical education.
Suncoast Gem lab adds gemological instrument
BRADENTON -- Master Gemologist Appraiser Tom Seguin of Suncoast Gem Lab has added the Colored Gemstone Identification Filter Set by Hanneman Gemological Instruments to the gemological instruments in Suncoast Gem Lab’s Accredited Gemological Laboratory.
This set of filters enables Suncoast Gem Lab to separate synthetic yellow sapphire and alexandrite chrysoberyl from their synthetic counterparts as well as other gemstone separations.
Comfort Keeper hiring more caregivers
SARASOTA -- Comfort Keepers In-Home Care expects to hire about 10 to 15 people each month to serve as caregivers.
The company was named as one of the top five companies in the United States hiring in 2012. Nationwide, the company says it will have an estimated 2,100 new caregiver positions available this year.
Energy Court Center supports charities
LAKEWOOD RANCH -- The Energy Court Center started a new tradition of supporting a local charity in December. It identified the YMCA’s Foster Angels program as this year’s charity of choice.
Run by the Safe Children Coalition and managed by the local YMCA’s across Manatee, Sarasota and Desoto counties, the Foster Angels program is one of several community efforts that provide beneficial child welfare services to dependent, abused, abandoned or neglected children.
The team pledged gifts to a large list of foster children in Sarasota and Manatee counties.
Cutting Loose named top salon in the country
LAKEWOOD RANCH -- Cutting Loose Salon was named in the top 200 salons in the country by Salon Today. Nearly 1,500 salons were nominated in various categories, including environmental sustainability, customer service, retention and referral programs and marketing.
“We are just ecstatic to once again be part of the Salon Today 200,” said owner Coral Pleas. “It has been difficult to retain customers and educate them on how important it is to maintain their look, but our customers have been great in supporting us. We also added a new skincare line, Repêchage, continued to train our staff and added new staff.”
CPAs celebrate 40th anniversary
SARASOTA -- Kerkering, Barberio & Co., certified public accountants, is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Kerkering Barberio was established in Sarasota in 1972 and now has locations in downtown Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch. The firm employs more than 110 people and is one of the largest independent certified public accounting firms in Southwest Florida.
“It is with great honor that we thank our clients and business associates for our long-term success. It has been a privilege to be a part of and to serve the Sarasota and Manatee communities,” said Rob Lane, managing shareholder.
Kobernick Anchin wins programming award
SARASOTA -- For the third year in a row, Kobernick Anchin has won the Association of Jewish Aging Services’ annual Programming Award. The international honor was given for the residents’ re-creation of Jerusalem’s Western Wall.
The project was conceived and supervised by resident clergy member,Rabbi Barbara Aiello. Independent and assisted living, memory support unit, and skilled nursing home residents all helped create the replica. The activity was part of The Rabbi’s Mitzvah Club, where residents engage in projects designed to make the world a better place.
Keller Williams Englewood Office awarded franchise
LAKEWOOD RANCH -- The Keller Williams Realty Englewood Office, formerly a branch of Keller Williams Realty Sarasota-Lakewood Ranch, has been awarded a Keller Williams franchise.
The new Market Center is at 3155 S. Access Road near State Road 776 and Gulfstream Boulevard. The 37-agent office has more than 4,000 square feet of office space, including a full training facility.
Waxpressions Candle Co. launches website
BRADENTON -- With the assistance of Webtivity Design Solutions, Waxpressions Candle Co. has launched an ecommerce website so customers can purchase their candles online.
Waxpressions Candle Co. offers three lines of hand-poured, 100 percent American-farmed soy candles. The candles come with unique messaging on the labels for birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions.
-- Herald staff reports
