BUSINESS OBSERVER

+ Who you gonna draw? Ghostbusters!
Pop-culture artist David O’Keefe, who has a gallery, David O’Keefe Studios, on St. Armands Circle, joined forces with actor Bill Murray to help raise thousands of dollars for fire departments, law-enforcement and emergency-medical agencies via the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. On March 29, O’Keefe brought his Murray-inspired art to the 12th annual Murray Bros. Caddyshack Charity Golf Tournament at the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine. The works were autographed and auctioned off. O’Keefe’s art raised a total of $10,600. O’Keefe has participated in Murray’s charity tournament auction for three years.

+ Family foundations grant $400,000 to Mote Marine
Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium received significant donations from two Sarasota-based family foundations. The funds help facilitate Mote’s mission to continue world-class marine research and hospital care for marine animals.

“Family foundations in our area have been an important pillar of support for Mote throughout our 57-year history, and we are especially grateful for this new round of generosity,” said Dr. Kumar Mahadevan, Mote’s president and CEO, in a prepared statement.

One grant from the Sara S. Roberts Foundation will benefit Mote’s efforts in rescuing and treating sick and injured dolphins and whales. The other anonymous grant will go toward Mote’s shellfish restoration program, marine-based cancer research, sustainable seafood farming and more.

+ China Pavilion leaves St. Armands Circle
On Friday, May 11, Steve and Keren Cheung, owners of China Pavilion, said goodbye to their restaurant and hello to retirement. They have owned and operated the restaurant on St. Armands for 11 years and have spent 30 years operating Chinese restaurants.

Many people opt for retirement here, but the Cheungs are returning to their hometown of Hong Kong. Steve Cheung says they will take some time to “smell the roses.”

+ Edward Jones ranks at the top in investor satisfaction
J.D. Power and Associates 2012 Full Service Investor Satisfaction Study puts financial services firm Edward Jones at the top of the list. This is the sixth time in eight years that the firm has received this designation.

The study measures overall investor satisfaction with full-service investment firms based on the adviser, performance, account information, account offerings, commissions and fees, website and problem resolution. Fourteen firms were rated.

This year’s score was 15 points higher than last year’s and 28 points above the industry average.

+ Town shows rescuers appreciation for bravery
On Feb. 25, a guest of the Longboat Key Club and Resort and his friend rented kayaks, but were capsized and separated from their boat. Two pool and beach team employees, Rob Peltier and Casey Griffin, reached them by boat and rescued them. On April 6, two young teenagers were boogie-boarding when they were caught in the undertow and two pool and beach team employees, Peltier and Logan Brisson, rescued them. The employees are not required to make rescues but have undergone rescue training given by Sarasota lifeguards.

At a monthly meeting with department heads of the Key Club, the three employees were recognized for their service. The late Police Chief Al Hogle and Mayor Jim Brown were in attendance to show the employees appreciation for their bravery.