Business Observer - 4/7/11

+ Edward Jones hosts re-opening celebration
C.J. Bannister, managing adviser of Edward Jones, held a grand re-opening March 30 for the firm’s Siesta Key location at 5112 Ocean Blvd. Bannister recently left the northwest Bradenton branch to join the Siesta Key branch.

Clients and guests attended a ribbon-cutting reception, along with members of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce.

+ Koontz to serve two-year term on joint committee
Jo Ann Koontz, an attorney and certified public accountant with Yesner and Boss, P.L., was recently appointed to the Realtor-Attorney Joint Committee of the Sarasota County Bar Association and the Sarasota Association of Realtors. She will serve a two-year term.

+ New College to salute Sen. Bob Johnson
New College of Florida will honor Sen. Bob Johnson with a special ceremony for his lifelong service and dedication to preserving the excellence and integrity of New College.

The ceremony takes place at 4 p.m. April 15, at the Robert and Beverly Koski Academic Plaza, at the corner of College Drive and Bay Shore Road.

New College will unveil its new Four Winds sculpture during the ceremony and dedicate it to Johnson.

+ Tidewell Hospice to hold volunteer orientation
Tidewell Hospice is currently accepting applications for its next volunteer orientation in Sarasota County. Volunteer coordinators will match your interests with opportunities such as administrative support, patient and family support, vigil visits, pet therapy, music and arts activities, grief support and clowning and humor.
Visit tidewell.org for applications.

+ LPL Financial recognizes its top financial adviser
Stephen Martin, an independent financial adviser at SRQ Wealth Management, was recognized as a top financial adviser and named to the LPL Financial Chairman’s Club. The distinction is awarded to less than 6% of the firm’s more than 12,000 advisers nationwide.

“We believe members of the Chairman’s Club are among the premier financial advisers in our industry,” said Bill Dwyer, president of national sales and marketing for LPL Financial. “They serve as trusted resources and counselors for their clients and communities.”

+ Key Sailing crosses 25,000-mile mark
Local charter Key Sailing has officially crossed the 25,000-mile mark. The “Key Breeze” 41-foot Morgan has now sailed 25,000 miles in less than four years from Slip E-18, in Marina Jack. Owners Tim and Jan
Solomon have sailed local waters together since high school.

“That’s once around the globe at the equator,” said Capt. Rev. Tim Solomon.

Johnson began his affiliation with New College in the early 1970s and played a critical role in helping the college join the state university system in 1975, when flagging finances threatened to close down the formerly private college. He also helped the college achieve independence in 2001 as the 11th freestanding member of the system.

+ London Bay launches new website
London Bay Homes has launched a new website for The Founders Club luxury-golf community on Fruitville Road, where it acquired the remaining 86 single-family home sites last July.

The new website, thefoundersclub.com, offers visitors a detailed overview of The Founders Club, its award-winning amenities such as golf, tennis, a listing of move-in-ready homes and home sites, plus additional
information about building a new home at the community.

A “Location” tab explains the area and lists special attractions and top restaurant recommendations, and a blog provides commentary on national and local real-estate trends and home product recommendations.

+ Vet Care Express Animal Ambulance earns award
Sarasota Pet Magazine has issued the Best New Pet Business Award to Vet Care Express Animal Ambulance, which offers both emergency and non-emergency transport for pets in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

Sarasota Pet’s Choice Awards offer people in Sarasota and surrounding communities the opportunity to vote and choose businesses that they feel have made outstanding contributions to the pet community.