Avalon School of Music Launches Summer Music Camps

Avalon School of Music Launches Summer Music Camps

ORLANDO, Fla. – Avalon School of Music at Avalon Park in east Orlando has launched a series of music summer camps to offer children of all ages one-week immersion sessions with full-day professional instruction that includes snacks and lunch.

Stephanie Hodson, marketing coordinator at Avalon Park, said the one-week camps cost $275 per student.

Camp themes include Rock Guitar and Exploration, Rock Band, Drums and Percussion, Song writing, and Pop singing, Hodson said. The Camps will be held at all three of the school’s locations with full details available at www.AvalonMusicCenter.com/summer2009.asp

Registration is under way now and space is limited, Hodson said. For more information, contact Avalon School of Music camp coordinator Jessica McMahan at 407-770-0323 or jmcmahan@avalonmusiccenter.com.

For more information about this release, contact:
Stephanie Hodson, Marketing Coordinator, Avalon Park Group, 407-658-6565

Beat Kahli, Owner/Founder, Avalon Park Group, 407-658-6565

Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142

GeoFitness Director Dr. JoAnne Owens-Nauslar wins National Girls & Women in Sports & Fitness award in event sponsored by the AHA

GeoFitness Director Dr. JoAnne Owens-Nauslar wins National Girls & Women in Sports & Fitness award in event sponsored by the American Heart Association

ORLANDO, Fla. – Dr. JoAnne Owens-Nauslar, director of corporate and community development for GeoFitness, Inc., was recently presented with the Ann Campbell Pioneer Award by Star City Sports in Lincoln, Neb. The award was presented in conjunction with National Girls & Women in Sports & Fitness Recognition Day and acknowledges Dr. Owens-Nauslar’s 40-year commitment to equity for girls and women by influencing policy makers and stakeholders.

Dr. Owens-Nauslar is one the nation’s most vocal personalities on issues of physical activity. A reputable teacher, motivational speaker and coach, “Dr. Jo” is determined to help every American understand and enjoy the benefits of healthy active living.

GeoFitness, Inc. is a leading provider of products and programs for education and physical fitness, based in Orlando.

“GeoFitness and Dance, and Learnercise products are designed to increase personal success through learning and physical activity. I believe that every school and every child will quickly see the benefits of such programs,” said Dr. Owens-Nauslar.

“Dr. Jo is a tireless promoter of healthier active living, an inspiration to us and everyone she meets” said Dr. Debby Mitchell, president and founder of GeoFitness, Inc.

American Heart Association, sponsor of this event, writes in the February issue of the Star City Sports Magazine: “Congratulations Dr. Jo on receiving the Anne Campbell Award. Thank you for all you do in promoting wellness and partnering with the AHA to fulfill the mission of building healthier lives free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.”

About GeoFitness, Inc:
GeoFitness, Inc is an innovative fitness and learning leader, providing fun, safe and easy methods and products to encourage learning, physical activity and fitness. GeoFitness and Dance, and Learnercise are movement-based products and curriculum that are developmentally appropriate, easy to use, and cost effective to increase fitness and academic achievement.

The company was founded in 2002 by Dr. Debby Mitchell, Associate Professor, Coordinator of Sports and Fitness for University of Central Florida. Based in Orlando, FL, GeoFitness is a client of the University of Central Florida Incubator Program.

To learn more about GeoFitness, Inc. or to order GeoFitness and Dance, and Learnercise products, please visit: http://www.geofitness.com/ or call 407-275-0510.

About the UCF Incubator Program:
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Incubator Program has helped more than 100 emerging companies create over $300 million in annual revenue and more than 900 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With five facilities across the metro Orlando community, the Incubator Program provides a collaboration environment for economic development between UCF, local cities and counties and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council in Central Florida.

To learn more about the UCF Incubator Program please visit http://www.incubator.ucf.edu/ or contact Carol Ann Dykes, UCF Incubation Program Site Manager, 407-882-1120 or cdykes@mail.ucf.edu;

For more information about this press release, contact
Gabriela Coban, Ten-global, LLC at 407-492-0570 or gcoban@ten-global.com;

or Larry Vershel Communications at 386-837-8780 or 407-644-4142; lvershelco@aol.com.

Builders, Developers Can Solicit Financial Support from Owners of Self-Directed IRAs

Builders, Developers Can Solicit Financial Support from Owners of Self-Directed IRAs

LAKE MARY, Fla. - Builders and developers who are finding it difficult to secure financing from traditional lenders can solicit owners of self-directed retirement accounts, says a leading funds administrator.

Glen Mather, president of Entrust Administrative Services, which administers more than 2,000 retirement accounts that total more than $200 million from offices in Lake Mary, Boca Raton and Jacksonville, told the Latin Builders Association in Miami recently that they should go directly to the source to seek alternative funding for worthy projects.

“It’s not just homes, it’s commercial too,” Mather told the more than 70 builders in the audience. “Builders and developers can gain access to finance through individual IRAs if they take the time to learn the correct approach,” he said.

Mather said IRAs can lend to companies, limited partnerships and individual ventures and serve as a stockholder.

Mather said one representative in the group was raising funds to finance individuals who wanted to buy mortgages.

“They are pooling resources to provide financing for distressed properties at a very low price so that individuals can acquire and remodel properties for resale or rental,” Mather said. “The IRAs would then become the lien holders---in effect, the bank---to make these transactions happen.

For more information contact:
Glen Mather, President Entrust Administrative Services, Inc. 407-367-3472 gmather@entrustfl.com;

Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142 lvershelco@aol.com

Eginity Invited to Present at Florida Venture Forum Early Stage Venture Capital Conference May 15

Eginity Invited to Present at Florida Venture Forum Early Stage Venture Capital Conference May 15

ORLANDO, Fla. - Eginity, an Orlando-based company that specializes in Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) technology, has been invited to showcase itself at the Florida Venture Forum 2009 Early Stage Venture Capital Conference May 15 at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate.

Rob Allen, president and co-founder of the one-year-old start-up firm, said he’s confident that Eginity’s new EON Platform – an end-to-end WSN solution – will get a lot of attention from venture capital investors.

“The WSN market is substantial,” Allen said. “WSN has already been spotlighted by leading IT researchers as one of the top 10 technology growth sectors through 2012,” he added.

“WSN technology gives an IP-address to an object, making it ‘smart’ – meaning it can gather and transmit information about its condition or environment over the Internet,” explained Allen. “Although WSNs are used extensively in defense and industrial settings, high costs have limited use in other areas. The EON Platform eliminates this issue, paving the way for the development of hundreds of new ‘smart’ commercial applications,” he said.

“Eginity’s EON Platform was designed to be licensed or acquired by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) for incorporation into existing or new products,” Allen said.

“We have expertise at every level of WSN technology, and the resulting uncomplicated design of the EON Platform will make it the cornerstone for new WSN applications,” he added.

EON Platform technology will enable manufacturers to substantially reduce the costs of existing sensor networks, enable current “stand-alone” sensor applications with WSN functionality, or invent and rapidly develop new “smart” solutions.

Eginity is a member client of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program.

For more information about this press release, contact:
Rob Allen, President, Eginity, 407-745-0097 rallen@eginity.com (http://www.eginity.com/)

Gordon Hogan, Site Manager, UCF Incubation Program-Downtown, 407-882-1577, bizdev@mail.ucf.edu

Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications Inc., 407-644-4142, lvershelco@aol.com

About the UCF Incubation Program:
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Incubation Program has helped more than 100 emerging companies (including nearly 70 current clients) create over $500 million in annual revenue and more than 900 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With five facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. For more information, please visit http://www.incubator.ucf.edu/.

Two Architects at Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Earn LEED Professional Certification For Energy-Efficient Design

Two Architects at Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Earn LEED Professional Certification For Energy-Efficient Design

ORLANDO, Fla. - Two architects at Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC, based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park, recently earned the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED-AP certification for their expertise in energy efficient design.

Lonnie Peterson, chairman of Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, said Chris Renegar and Carrie Manes earned the USGBC’s LEED-AP professional designation, which recognizes their completion of a rigorous curriculum of study in energy efficient design and environmental quality.

The USGBC LEED-AP curriculum focuses on energy efficient design, specification of durable and energy-efficient construction and finishing materials and use of efficient equipment and appliances.

“The USGBC’s LEED-AP protocol is an important qualification and we have encouraged all of our design staff to participate,” said Peterson.

Renegar joined Cuhaci & Peterson Architects eight years ago. Manes, a graduate architect, joined Cuhaci & Peterson Architects three years ago as an architect intern from Ball State College.

Peterson said the firm now employs 12 LEED-AP certified professionals and expects that will increase to 15 before the end of the year.

For more information, contact:
Lonnie Peterson, Chairman Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC 407-661-9100

Jed Downs, President Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, 407-661-9100

Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142

Entrust Administrative Services Posts Record Growth In March

Entrust Administrative Services Posts Record Growth In March

LAKE MARY, Fla. - Entrust Administrative Services, Inc., which administers more than 2,000 self-directed retirement funds worth more than $200 million from offices in Lake Mary, Boca Raton and Jacksonville, reported record growth in March.

Glen Mather, president of Entrust Administrative Services, said the company enrolled 61 new accounts in March worth an estimated $5 million.

Since Jan. 1, Entrust Administrative Services has enrolled 115 new accounts with an estimated value of $11 million.

“March ranks as our third best month since we opened our doors in 2003,” Mather said.

“Given current economic conditions, more people are taking control of their retirement accounts and making their own their investments,” Mather said. “We see this as an indication that American citizens are beginning to play a more important role in the direction of economic recovery,” Mather said.

For more information contact:

Glen Mather, President Entrust Administrative Services, Inc. 407-367-3472 gmather@entrustfl.com;

Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142 lvershelco@aol.com

UCF Business Incubation Program to Expand to Leesburg, St. Cloud

UCF Business Incubation Program to Expand to Leesburg, St. Cloud

ORLANDO, Fla. - The University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program, which currently serves more than 70 full-time clients in five Central Florida facilities, plans to expand to include programs in Leesburg and St. Cloud.

Dr. Tom O’Neal, associate vice president for the University’s Department of Research & Commercialization and executive director of the UCF Business Incubation Program, said he expects to open operations in St. Cloud and Leesburg by next spring.

Currently, the UCF Business Incubation Program operates two facilities near the University of Central Florida campus in Research Park, and three more – on Orange Ave. in downtown Orlando, in east Orlando on East Colonial and in Winter Springs at S.R. 434 and the 417.

“Effective incubation programs have proved to be the most cost efficient ways to stimulate local economic growth,” O’Neal explained.

O’Neal, who founded the UCF Business Incubation Program and ranks as one of the leading U.S. experts on business incubators, said successful incubation programs offer several common characteristics including: stable, sustainable program funding; a strong market position; entrepreneurial management; affiliation with a major research institution; a blue-ribbon board of directors or advisors; the ability to attract quality client companies; a strong client screening process; measurable goals and objectives; strong value-added services; and access to investment capital and community partnerships.

For more information contact:

Tom O’Neal. Ph.D, UCF Associate Vice President for Research and Commercialization and Incubation Program Executive Director, 407-882-1120, oneal@mail.ucf.edu

Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142 Lvershelco@aol.com

About the UCF Incubation Program:
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Incubation Program has helped more than 100 emerging companies (including nearly 70 current clients) create over $500 million in annual revenue and more than 900 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With five facilities across the metro Orlando community, the Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between UCF, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. For more information, please visit http://www.incubator.ucf.edu/.

ICI Homes Decides To Sell Off Million Dollar Homes In Palencia Below Cost - All Offers Considered

ICI Homes Decides To Sell Off Million Dollar Homes In Palencia Below Cost - All Offers Considered

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. - Three completed luxury homes – each valued at a million dollars plus – in the exclusive Palencia golf and country club community located off Toricino Blvd. in St. Augustine have been drastically reduced for quick sale.

“We need to move the last of our ready-to-move-in homes so we can move forward with the next phase of development at Palencia,” said Don Wilford, president of the Jacksonville division of ICI Homes. “And we are willing to consider all offers.”

“With all the activity the Parade of Homes will bring to Palencia and our flexibility on sale price, we think these homes will be sold before the end of this month.”

The three two-story homes with four to six bedrooms, three-and-a-half to five bathrooms and three-car garages range in size from 3,800 square feet of living space to 4,500 square feet. All three homes front on the fourth hole of the golf course. They may be previewed at www.ICIHomes.com/belowcost.

“Since we put our below cost pricing into effect, we’ve seen more activity in a week than we’ve seen in a year and a half,” Wilford said. “Our decision to let these three homes go into the program was a tough one, but I guarantee three smart new homeowners will be getting a deal of a lifetime.”

For more information, please contact:

Don Wilford, Division President ICI Homes-Jacksonville 904-281-0800

Dan Block, Sales Associate, ICI Homes at Palencia 904-819-0167

Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, LV Communications, 407-644-4142

About ICI Homes:
ICI homes, ranks among the top 100 Builders by Builder magazine and is one of the largest privately owned homebuilder in the US. The 30-year-old firm builds new homes and resort facilities in the Volusia-Flagler region as well as Northeast Florida, Orlando and Tampa.