SCF hosting

certification

workshops

MANATEE-SARASOTA -- The Small Business Development Center at State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota will host "Women/Minority and Service-Related Disabled Veterans Certification" workshops at the North Sarasota Business Resource Center, 2714 N. Osprey Ave., Sarasota. The free workshops will be held from 5-6:30 p.m. on the following Wednesdays: Feb. 13, March 13, April 10, May 8 and June 12.

Business owners will learn how to complete the application for Women/Minority Business Enterprise certification and about the contract opportunities available for women and minority businesses in government and private sectors. The SCF workshop will be held in partnership with the City of Sarasota, North Sarasota Entrepreneur Collaborative Initiative Redevelopment Office.

Snacks will be provided. Seating is limited. For more information, visit scf.edu/SBDC or call Linda Baxter at 941-408-1412.

First Watch to open restaurant in Brandon

BRADENTON -- First Watch will open a restaurant in Brandon at 11305 Causeway Blvd. The restaurant is expected to open in the summer of 2013 and will employ approximately 25 people.

The new 3,400-square-foot restaurant will be located in the Lake Brandon Village shopping center in a freestanding building previously occupied by Blinds To Go and will feature an outdoor patio.

First Watch has 37 restaurants in Florida and more than 100 across the U.S.

Center For Sight earns Angie's List award

BRADENTON -- Center For Sight has earned the 2012 Angie's List Super Service Award, an honor awarded annually to approximately 5 percent of all the companies rated on Angie's List.

"Center For Sight has made the patient's experience our top priority," says Chief Administrative Officer James Dawes. "The patient is the most important member of our healthcare team. We make every effort to listen to their unique needs and continually work to provide unsurpassed patient outcomes by establishing personal and trusting relationships with every single patient."

Center For Sight has eight offices serving Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte counties.

Doctors to discuss Affordable Care Act

SARASOTA -- Have questions about the Affordable Care Act? The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee, in partnership with Doctors for America, will present an informational and educational forum for the community to provide details about the Affordable Care Act. A panel of four physicians will answer questions and help attendees to get the most from their health care plan.

The event will be held at 7 p.m. Feb. 21 in the Beatrice Friedman Theater on the Federation Campus, 582 McIntosh Road. The event is free and open to the public. Reservations are requested and can be made by calling 941-552-6304 or visiting www.jfedsrq.org/events.aspx.