Organizational Development Consulting Firm Wightman & Associates Founder Invited to Participate in U.N. Forum on Disaster Preparedness

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Gina Wightman, founder and president of Wightman & Associates LLC in Orlando, will participate in a U.N. forum on Sustainable Training Initiatives for Resilience (STIR) September 11-13 in Stellenbosch, South Africa. Wightman, a noted expert on disaster resilience training for communities, states and national governments, said the forum will focus on capacity building to help emerging nations benefit from new international commitments to sustainable development. The forum is sponsored by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) and the Global Education and Training Institute at Incheon, South Africa. “The STIR Forum is an important initiative that will stimulate dialogue and catalyze action to reinvigorate and sustain training initiatives for resilience,” Wightman explained. “Many stakeholders have called for more focus on the development and implementation of national training strategies that support higher education, facilitate knowledge-brokerage and promote innovative approaches,” she said. Wightman & Associates LLC, a Women Owned Small Business (WOSB), is a full service organizational development and training firm dedicated to helping clients achieve excellence through a qualified and synchronized workforce. Wightman & Associates is a member of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program in the Central Florida Research Park in East Orange County.

Technology Empowers Northern Virginia Residents to Aid Their Community After a Disaster

Orlando, Fla. --- Residents in Northern Virginia can now help their community’s emergency response agencies by submitting information about damage to their home or business after a storm. The Northern Virginia Damage Reporting Tool (NOVA DRT) software system was unveiled on Sept. 1, at the start of National Preparedness Month. The system includes smart phone apps, available for free to residents, which can be downloaded from the iTunes App Store or the Google play store. For residents who do not own a smart phone, NOVA DRT can be accessed on the Internet at www.novadrt.org. Ken Rudnicki, Emergency Management Coordinator for the City of Fairfax and Immediate Past President of the Virginia Emergency Management Association (VEMA), said NOVA DRT elevates disaster preparedness efforts by making it easier to learn when and where a disaster is occurring. The system allows emergency managers to view a map of the damage reports, with validation from the resident photos, and download reports of damage totals. “This application will allow local jurisdictions to identify the resources needed to assist residents quicker and more accurately,” Rudnicki said. “In addition, it will provide the higher levels of government a more accurate picture of what it’s like when disaster strikes,” he said. Geocove, Inc. (www.geocove.com), the Orlando, Florida firm that develops GIS-based technology solutions that help government agencies and non-profit groups coordinate responses to disasters and emergencies, was awarded the contract to develop the proprietary NOVA DRT software system. “With NOVA DRT, residents can provide a rapid, eye-on-the-ground look at problems that authorities can then use in their decision making activities,” Karyn Tareen, Geocove’s President said. Using the NOVA DRT app, a resident can create a damage report by tapping on pictures that most closely identify damage and flood levels, record their precise location and even include a photo of the damaged building. Behind the scenes, the NOVA DRT system leverages the participating communities’ address and property databases to build accurate reports for emergency managers. These reports are crucial for requesting aid in an emergency. Esri’s GIS software was selected as the technology platform for the NOVA DRT system as most communities in the region are already using it for their mapping platform. “Without creating complicated new databases to maintain, we are able to reference the existing community databases to provide added intelligence to the system,” Tareen said. “Quick access to damage reports and information allows emergency managers to request and deploy the right resources, enabling the communities to recover more efficiently,” she explained. For stability and scalability, especially for a large scale event, the NOVA DRT system is hosted in the cloud by ROK technologies. NOVA DRT was funded by a grant from FEMA's Grant Programs Directorate, U.S. Department of Homeland Security. For more information about the NOVA DRT system, including participating communities, please visit www.novadrt.org Geocove is a member of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program in the Central Florida Research Park in East Orange County.

Patriots Day Golf Tournament at Golden Bear Club in Windermere Raised more than $500 for Folds of Honor Foundation

WINDERMERE, Fla. --- More than 60 members and guests participating in a Patriots Day Golf Tournament recently raised $540 for the Folds of Honor Foundation, which supports the families of service men and women killed or wounded in the line of duty through scholarships and other assistance. Matthew Allen, general manager and director of golf at The Golden Bear Club at Keene's Pointe, said Golden Bear Club member Dave Corbett aced the fifth hole during the tournament for his second lifetime hole-in-one.

NAI Realvest Negotiates Two Lease Renewals totaling 10,200 Square Feet at Hanging Moss CommerCenter in Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. – Michael Heidrich, principal at NAI Realvest recently negotiated two lease renewals at Hanging Moss CommerCenter in Orlando that total 10,200 square feet of industrial space. Heidrich, who brokered the transactions on behalf of landlord COP-Hanging Moss, LLC of Maitland, said the two local tenants are: Apex Imaging, who was formerly called Florida Injury and Rehabilitation, renewed the lease of 6,200 square feet in Suite 100, 6148 Hanging Moss Rd; The Cast Stone Factory LLC renewed its 4,000 square feet of space in Suite 470 at 6112 Hanging Moss Rd.

NAI Realvest Negotiates Expansion and Renewal Leases totaling 12,000 Square Feet at Monroe CommerCenter South in Sanford

SANFORD, Fla. --- NAI Realvest recently negotiated two renewal leases and an expansion lease for a total of 12,000 square feet of industrial space at Monroe CommerCenter South in Sanford. Michael Heidrich, a principal in the firm, brokered the transactions on behalf of the landlord, COP-Monroe, LLC of Maitland. Advanced Van & Truck Equipment, Inc., a truck and auto parts and equipment supplier, renewed its lease of 5,000 square feet at 4154 Incubator Court and at the same time expanded into an additional 5,000 square feet at 4141 Incubator Court at Monroe CommerCenter South. Transit Designs LLC, a screen printing and embroidery firm renewed its 2,000 square feet at 711 Progress Way in Monroe CommerCenter South.

Golf’n Gals at Celebration Golf Club to host “Tee It Up Fore Cancer” Golf Tournament Oct. 26

KISSIMMEE, Fl. --- Golf’n Gals, the ladies 9 hole league at Celebration Golf Club at 701 Golfpark Dr, in Kissimmee, will host the “Tee It Up Fore Cancer” golf tournament on Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Celebration Golf Club. The tournament is open to everyone of every golf level. Carol Daniels, tournament and group sales agent at Celebration Golf Club, said she expects more than 100 golfers to participate in the tournament to raise money for breast cancer research. Registration for the tournament is $55 per player and includes golf, range balls, a drink ticket, buffet lunch and prizes. Daniels said the tournament will include a 50/50 raffle, mulligan packs, memory wall and prizes galore. The “Tee It Up Fore Cancer” golf tournament is the last event of the season for the Golf’n Gals League, our goal is a complete sellout,” Daniels said. The schedule of events is 7 a.m. registration and driving range open; 8 a.m. shotgun start; and lunch and awards at 1 p.m., To register or learn more information, telephone 407-566-4653 ext. 4605 or visit www.celebrationgolf.com

Ryland Homes offering Great Close-Out deals at Three Communities in Wesley Chapel, Land O’Lakes, Citrus Park

TAMPA, Fla. --- Ryland Homes is pulling out all the stops on the handful of homes that remain for sale in three close-out communities in Wesley Chapel, Land O’Lakes and Citrus Park. Mike Finley, vice president of sales and marketing for Ryland Homes in the Tampa Bay region, said only two homes remain for sale at Rocky Creek, located off Veteran’s Expressway in Citrus Park. A ready to move-in home at 6910 Rocky Canyon Way offers four bedrooms, three and a half baths in 3,204 square feet of living space priced at $343,677--- reduced from $352,250. A second home with five bedrooms and four baths that will be completed in October is priced at $358,367--- reduced from $365,468. Only one home remains for sale at Alsace, located in Land O’ Lakes just west of Collier Parkway. The four-bedroom Ponte Verda A model with four bedrooms and bonus room is priced at just $325,925 for 3,026 square feet of living space with a three-car garage. The Inverness A previously was priced at $333,869. Only one single-family home remains for sale at Ashton Oaks, located off S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel near River Glen Blvd. The Destin B model, with three bedrooms and two baths, in 1481 square feet of living space is priced at just $189,990--- reduced from $194,123. “Typically, the best time to get a great deal on a new home is at the very beginning of a community and the very end,” Finley said. “This being the sellout of these communities, there are spectacular savings for the buyer in an established neighborhood with all the amenities,” he said.

Lennar Homes is selling Executive Homes at Orange Blossom Ranch in Naples

NAPLES, Fla. -- Lennar Homes is selling Executive Homes at Orange Blossom Ranch, the gated tennis community located on Fairmont Lane east of Immokalee Rd. in Naples. Matt Devereaux, director of sales for Lennar’s Southwest Florida Division, said Executive Homes at Orange Blossom Ranch range from 1,677 square feet of living area to 3,357 square feet, priced from $211,990 to $321,990. “These homes emphasize family living space with an open kitchen, breakfast nook and screened lanai,” Devereaux said. Three, four and five-bedroom homes at Orange Blossom Ranch are featured in seven distinctive floor plans including the Independence, one of Lennar’s NextGen plans designed for a new generation of multi-generational families. “The Independence design and the NextGen series accommodates the trend with private living quarters–a home within a home–featuring separate private entrance, eat-in kitchenette, bedroom, bathroom, laundry room and living room,” Devereaux said. All new Lennar homes at Orange Blossom Ranch come with the homebuilder’s “Everything’s Include” pledge: upgraded features, appointments, appliances and finishes all included in the one Lennar price. Orange Blossom Ranch, Devereaux emphasized features a community center with tennis courts, swimming pool, children's playground and barbecue pavilion. Visit www.lennar.com.

Henin Homes has new move-in ready home underway at Riviera Bella in DeBary

DeBary, Fla. – Henin Homes is completing a new ready-to-move-in home at Riviera Bella luxury community overlooking the St. Johns River in DeBary. Jerome Henin, president of the Henin Group, developer of Riviera Bella, said the new two-story home is the Maranello plan by Henin Homes with four bedrooms, three baths in 2,354 square feet of living area plus a two-car garage. The new Maranello home will be move-in ready and open for viewing in November, priced from the $320s. Homes at Riviera Bella range from the low $200s to the low $500s.

Avalon Dance Launches Art in Motion to Help Autistic Children Relate Through Dance

Orlando, Fla. --- Avalon Dance, the innovative dance studio in Downtown Avalon Park in east Orlando, has launched a new program to help autistic children cope with their surroundings through dance. Tkea LeGrande, founder and president of Avalon Dance, said Art in Motion unlocks each child’s capacity to express by teaching them to appreciate the artistry of dance. “Art in Motion focuses on the whole student and teaches dance through mirroring movements and effective positioning. We pay special attention to the student’s reaction to the sound and the beat of the music and incorporate colors as a visual reminder to formalize patterns of dance,” LeGrande explained. LeGrande said Art in Motion offers children and young adults the unique opportunity to engage in dance as an art form. “Art in Motion empowers each student to fuel their abilities,” LeGrande said. “We approach each student as a unique individual and help them unlock their abilities. They learn to dance limitlessly, and at the end of each year our students will leave not only their fingerprint but their foot print on the dance floor,” she said. Art in Motion classes taught by Avalon Dance are held Wednesdays from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. for beginners and 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. for advanced students at Providence Foundation, located at 1561 S. Alafaya Trail, Orlando, FL 32828. For more information or to register a student for classes, visit www.avalondance.net or telephone Avalon Dance at 407-380-3444.