By Matt Woolsey, Forbes, July 9, 2008

Seems Tampa, Fla., can't catch a break. For the second straight year, it ranks as the worst city for young professionals. That isn't necessarily a categorical knock against the city. In measures of outdoor activity, living on a fixed income, weather, access to beaches and low health care costs, Tampa rises to the top. But that doesn't mean much when talking about high-powered business opportunities for those between the ages of 25 and 35 who have their eyes set on a corner office in a world-class company. Tampa lags when it comes to innovation precisely because it hasn't been able to attract or foster top companies or the best young talent. Read more>>

By Gregory McColm, The Tampa Tribune, July 13, 2008

With each announced departure of a high-profile Florida university professor for Texas, Wisconsin, Illinois, Louisiana, Virginia, Ohio, and so on, we can see the longstanding plans for a high-technology Interstate 4 corridor disintegrate at our feet. Just a few years ago, we were going to enter the 21st century with a roar. We were going to attract top researchers while upgrading our higher educational system. We would train Florida kids to become the entrepreneurs in and employees for biotechnology, computers, modern materials, space, and other forward-looking industries lining up from St. Petersburg to Melbourne. But no more. Read more>>

By Maggie Jackson, The Boston Globe, July 13, 2008

It's not just the e-mail. The phone calls, instant messages, digital documents, meetings, conference calls, and text messages add up. The result is information overload, and a workforce increasingly buried under data points and communications tidbits. We're spending more than a quarter of the workday dealing with interruptions and their needed recovery time, according to the business consulting firm Basex. Read more>>

By Tracy Turner, The Columbus Dispatch, July 13, 2008

Good news for parents who've watched their kids spend too much time playing video games: This penchant for idle time might be the source of a thriving new industry. More simply, some people think central Ohio is primed to become a hot spot for video-game development. Columbus State Community College is jumping into the fray and will start offering a major in video- and computer-game development. Ohio State and the Columbus College of Art & Design already do the same. Not only do these efforts hold out the promise for new jobs, but they also tap into a bigger goal of keeping more young college graduates working and living in central Ohio instead of fleeing for what they might consider more exciting outposts. Read more>>

By Russell Ray, The Tampa Tribune, June 24, 2008

An international retailing conference to help entrepreneurs develop business partnerships in Latin America will be coming to Tampa in November. Tampa will be the first U.S. city to host the annual Retailers of the Americas Conference on Nov. 20 to 22. More than 1,000 people, including representatives and business owners from 25 countries, are expected to attend the three-day conference. Other sites, including Miami, Orlando and New Jersey, were considered, but the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce chose Tampa because of its reputation as a major U.S. business hub and its large Hispanic population. Read more>>

Did Forbes get it right?
By Megan Hendricks

A headline in Forbes magazine that called Tampa one of the nation’s worst cities for young professionals caught my attention, which is exactly what Forbes’ editors meant for it to do. Read beyond the headline, however, and it’s easy to see, in my opinion, that the survey is lacking and inaccurate and the headline is misleading.

Faulty methodology?

I question why the authors of the study chose such a narrow list of business schools, the vast majority of which are located outside the South. To quote from their web site, the authors said they began by “tracking the graduates from a cadre of elite schools around the country who have the ability to go virtually anywhere to follow their professional interests” and looked at where these students settled a decade later, saying this gave them a “good sense of where the top-notch jobs for young people exist.”

This narrow scope ignores a large number of young professionals who choose to study – and remain – in Tampa, executives who are no less creative or progressive because they chose not to study at a so-called “elite” school. Consider for a moment, that fully 80% of business grads from the University of South Florida remain in the Tampa area after graduating, citing geographic location as a major factor in their decision. How different would the results of the survey look had the authors chosen to include more of the nation’s top southern schools, such as my own dually-accredited USF College of Business? By surveying graduates from only a select group of schools, they are only measuring those who move to an area and leaving out thousands of young professionals who graduate from college and remain in their area of choice because they like living there (some may even like the heat and sweet tea the authors snidely reference).

Too narrow a scope?

Many USF graduates are in “top-notch” jobs with companies in the Tampa Bay area, including Raymond James Financial, Outback Steakhouse, JPMorgan Chase, AAA South and Coca-Cola Enterprises to name a few. While these businesses may not all make Forbes’ list of top 400 companies, many are included in Fortune’s and other company rankings.

The survey should look beyond headquarters to regional offices, and include businesses like those mentioned above who are major employers in the area. This is an important distinction because not every aspiring business leader wants to work at the corporate headquarters – nor is ten years enough time to for a career to develop enough to move a new hire from, say, Coca-Cola’s regional office to the CEO suites.

Salaries

The authors rightly point out that Tampa’s salaries are low, in the bottom quartile, a point I must sadly agree is accurate. The disparaging salaries in the Tampa Bay area do not seem to be increasing as cost of living soars. If companies want to keep our bright, creative young professionals here and contribute to a vibrant local economy, they might consider compensation packages that are more in line with other areas.

Megan Hendricks is the Director of Employer Relations for the University of South Florida College of Business. She meets with business students to help prepare them for their job search.

The Green Housing Boom
By Linda Tischler, Fast Company, July 2008

Read the morning papers, and it's hard not to feel that the American housing industry is on the brink of the apocalypse. Home prices are plummeting, in some areas as much as 40%. However, it's exactly the gravity of the situation that some housing analysts see as the opportunity of a lifetime—the chance to jolt us into embracing green housing. Read more>>

Save Money and Gas with Ez-Ride

Ez-Ride Online Matching, from Bay Area Commuter Services (BACS), helps identify potential carpool partners with whom you can share your daily commute. Ez-Ride is easy to use and takes only a few minutes to complete. You provide your home information, work information and an e-mail address. If there are commuters who match your commute profile, you will receive an immediate list of potential carpool partners who can be contacted to make arrangements to carpool. At any time, you can go to Ez-Ride and run your commute profile again to receive an update. Once you are carpooling, be sure to enroll in the Emergency Ride Home Program (ERH). For more about BACS programs and services go to www.TampaBayRideshare.org or call 800-998-RIDE.

Eclectic Summer Reading Suggestions

Summertime! And the livin’ is easy…

At least according to the words of the old George Gershwin song. And even the most inveterate workaholics and hard-chargers among us usually still take a week (or a few three-day weekends) off during the dog days of August.

Whether we end up on a beach or mountaintop, or simply at a friend’s backyard patio, there is some breathing space.

This fleeting hiatus of quiet allows us to disconnect from the seductive world of electronic media and enter a childhood place of printed words.

Here is an eclectic palette of titles that might lure you to an armchair. They are all old friends of mine. Most of these books were given to me over the years by beloved relatives, teachers, dear friends, and a few just popped into my life through chance encounters and serendipity.

Read more>>

Karsh, Leonard, and Bagert: A Photographic Legacy
Through Sept. 7

Yousef Karsh, Herman Leonard and Jenny Bagert represent three “generations” of photographers. Karsh is recognized as one of the pioneers of 20th-century portrait photographer. His protégé, Herman Leonard, has achieved international fame for his documentation of jazz musicians as well as numerous other projects. Leonard’s protégé, Jenny Bagert, is a young photographer whose work, like Leonard’s, owes something to her early mentor but she has achieved her own unique vision as well. This exhibition will show the way photographic traditions have been passed down from mentor to student. At Lakeland’s Polk Museum of Art; for more information, go to www.polkmuseumofart.org.

Summer Art Classes at DFAC

What is the earliest memory you have about the creative freedom of art? Perhaps it’s the smell of a new box of crayons as you first opened them, or the tremendous feeling of the clay squishing between your fingers as you squeezed it. The Dunedin Fine Art Center’s Gladys Douglas School of the Arts is currently registering for its second session of summer classes, with discounted tuition rates for Art Center Members. Daytime, evening and weekend classes are available in a variety of media. Register now for the Summer II session: July 21st-August 31st. Please call 727.298.DFAC to register or visit the Dunedin Fine Art Center at 1143 Michigan Blvd., Dunedin. Class information and registration is available on the web at: www.dfac.org.

The Photography Show
July 15-Aug. 1

Tampa Realistic Artists presents The Photography Show, open to all photography mediums including computer-generated art. Location: The Old Hyde Park Art Center, 705 Swann Avenue, Tampa. Open: Noon to 3 p.m., Tuesday-Friday. No charge, open to the public. For more info, go to www.tamparealisticartists.com or www.myspace.com/tamparealart.

Tech Tuesday
Tues., July 15, 5:30-8 p.m.

You asked for more time to network with your fellow Tampa Bay Technology Forum members, and we've responded with Tech Tuesday—the biggest tech happy hour in town. Tech Tuesday at the Green Iguana, North Westshore, will feature a cash bar with 2-for-1 drink specials, complimentary appetizers, and unlimited networking time with hundreds of tech professionals. No other place in town will have this amount of tech industry power in one spot on a Tuesday night. Not a member of TBTF? Then come check out Tech Tuesday and learn more about what TBTF has to offer or contact Jill Pearson to join today at jpearson@tbtf.org. Learn more: http://www.tbtf.org/.

July Z-Feast
Tues., July 15, 6:30 p.m.

At Bella Brava New World Trattoria, Dyce Craig and Michael Venturo have given traditional Tuscan fare new life in their hometown of St. Petersburg. July's Z-Feast will be on Tuesday, July 15th. We will meet at Bella Brava's upstairs bar for vino and conversazione starting at 6:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m. Zodiac Group members will receive 50% off their entrée for this evening. And be sure to return to Bella Brava throughout the month of July for a special "Surreal Deal" where Zodiac members receive a "Buy one get one free for the other entree with the least expensive entree being free". Members will need to present their membership cards for the "Surreal Deal". Please RSVP to Harry Venezia at HarryVen@Tampabay.rr.com. To learn more about Bella Brava, go to www.bellabrava.net; to learn more about the Zodiac Group, go to www.salvadordalimuseum.org.

Sunrise Sale
Thurs., July 17, 6:43 a.m.

Shoppers get ready to save, the 35th anniversary of downtown's premier sales event is July 17th from 6:43am through 11am. Over 40 downtown retail and specialty shops participate with some providing bargains as much as 80% off retail prices. In addition, remember to wear your pajamas to receive extra discounts from participating shops. The event represents the biggest membership drive of the year for its sponsor, the Downtown Business Association. Learn more: http://www.stpetedowntownbiz.com/.

Book signing: Havana Nocturne
Thurs., July 17, 7 p.m.

On Thursday, July 17, at 7 p.m., T. J. English reads and signs Havana Nocturne. This stunning story of the rise and fall of the American mob in Cuba, features the greed and intrigue of familiar names: Lucky Luciano, Meyer Lansky, and Santo Trafficante, as well as Batista and Castro. English brings together newly unearthed historical information with fresh personal research, including interviews with key survivors. For more information, go to www.inkwoodbooks.com.

Shelby Lynne
Thurs., July 17, 7:30 p.m.

Grammy-winner Shelby Lynne’s music ranges eclectically through many genres including country, blues, Southern soul, roots rock, Western swing, jazz, and adult contemporary pop over almost 20 years in the business. Her 2008 release, Just a Little Lovin’, is an homage to British blues legend Dusty Springfield. Catch this earthy, poignant and sophisticated performer live, only at Tampa Theatre. Reserved seating: $40.50 & $31.00. Order tickets in person at the Tampa Theatre box office or go to www.ticketmaster.com. For information about Tampa Theatre, go to www.tampatheatre.org.

Emerge Tampa Bay July Morning Series: Leadership
Fri., July 18, 7:30-9 a.m.

Kick off your morning with Emerge Tampa Bay's July Morning Series! Join fellow Emerge Tampa Bay participants and guests as we hear Dr. Hank Hine, Director, Salvador Dali Museum, discuss his leadership philosophy and style. Dr. Hine is not only the Director for the Salvador Dali Museum, one of Florida's top-rated museums, but also a publisher and educator. Location: Radisson Hotel and Conference Center - Naples Room, 12600 Roosevelt Blvd., St. Petersburg. Your registration includes a plated breakfast, opportunities for networking and a speaker presentation. The cost is $20 in advance for Emerge Tampa Bay participants or $30 at the door and $30 in advance for non-Emerge Tampa Bay participants or $40 at the door. For more information, go to www.emergetampa.com.

Barrier Island Ecology Field Session
Fri., July 18, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Many are curious about Shell Key Preserve and the ecology of barrier islands in Florida, and a four-hour adventure will answer those questions. On Friday, July 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., this Barrier Island Ecology Field Session will address the diverse and dynamic barrier island chain along Florida’s West-Central Coast using Shell Key Preserve as a study site. Activities include a beach hike, bird count and sampling seagrass ecosystems. The adventure begins with a boat trip to Shell Key from Merry Pier at Pass-A-Grille. The cost of the boat trip for adults is $22 plus tax. For children, the cost is $11 plus tax. A $9.35 plus tax fee for the educational component is charged for each participant. Registration and payment are required in advance. Space is limited for this popular program. Please call (727) 453-6500 for more information.

S’Real Friday Happy Hour: O Som do Jazz
Fri., July 18, 5-8 p.m.

A summer staple, S’Real Fridays at the Dalí Museum are an inspiring combination of music, art and libation. See “Women: Dalí’s View,” hear exotic bossa nova, samba, calypso and '60s groove jazz in a café setting, view unusual silent films, and enjoy a complementary nacho cheese fountain and cash bar. Presented by Bank of America with additional support by Peroni Beer. Cost: Half-price admission (only $7.50) after 5:00 p.m. For more information, go to www.salvadordalimuseum.org.

The World Café
Fri., July 18, 7:30 p.m.

Connecting people through conversations that matter—welcome to the World Café held at Starbucks Coffee Company, 4th Street North and 89th Ave., St. Petersburg. "To change our future, first we must imagine it," ABC announced an unprecedented television and Internet event. It is asking us to help answer what we know is probably the most important earthly question of our time. What will our world be like over the next one hundred years if we don’t act now to save our troubled planet? What gives me hope today? Share a story of life at its best. For more information, go to www.theworldcafe.com. Please RSVP to Goodpat@tampabay.rr.com.

Cool Art Show
Sat. & Sun., July 19-20, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

PAVA, the Professional Association of Visual Artists, is proudly celebrating its 20th Anniversary hosting the Cool Art Show; a juried members-only Fine Art and Fine Craft Show. The annual event is scheduled for July 19 – 20, 2008 from 10am to 5pm at the St. Petersburg Coliseum. This attractively restored historic venue is located at 535 4th Avenue North. Admission and parking are free, and the Coliseum’s concessions will be open for art patrons, serving food and beverages, including beer and wine. Approximately 80 outstanding artisans have been selected to exhibit a remarkable collection of visual and functional creations in paint, wood, ceramics, photography, metal, glass, mixed media and jewelry. Visit PAVA online at www.pava-artists.org.

Red Bull Flugtag
Sat., July 19, gates open at 11 a.m.; first flight at 1 p.m.

Red Bull Flugtag is returning to the Sunshine State! The brave and slightly crazy will launch their human-powered flying machines above Tampa Bay’s waters at City Park at Tampa Convention Center. This will be the first time Red Bull Flugtag has touched down in Florida since the Miami competition in 2004. Red Bull Flugtag Tampa Bay will boast almost 40 outrageous crafts, ranging from giant footwear to supersized sea creatures, built by participants ranging from animators to biologists and college students to flight instructors. For more information, go to http://www.redbullflugtagusa.com/TampaBay2008.

3rd Annual WMNF Americana Fest
Sat., July 19, 4 p.m.

At Skipper’s Smokehouse: $12 advance; $17 at the door. Lineup includes Texas artist Hayes Carll (www.hayescarll.com), whose new Lost Highway release Trouble In Mind has been #1 on the Americana charts for the past eight weeks. Hayes also just received two Americana Music Awards Honors & Awards Nominations: Best Album of the Year and Best Song "She Left Me For Jesus." Plus what we think are the nine best Americana bands in Florida: Mojo Gurus, Have Gun Will Travel, Ted Lukas, Will Quinlan and the Diviners, Rebekah Pulley and the Reluctant Prophets, Ronny Elliott, Memphis Train Union, Blind Buddy Moody, Barkin' Barney and the Tall Boys. For more information, go to www.wmnf.org.

20@620 presents Manifesto
Sat., July 19, 7 p.m.

Be among the first to see this new piece of musical theater set in turn of the century Ireland. The play will be feature live accompaniment by string quartet. One performance only on Saturday July 19th at 7 p.m. Admission is by donation. Reserve a seat by calling 727-895-6620. 20@620 is the Studio's youth theater initiative. Read more about this new production: http://www.studio620.org/620/enews/2008/manifesto.php

Private Lives
July 10-27

Stageworks proudly presents the classic comedy, Private Lives, acclaimed as one of the prolific Coward’s best works, an intimate comedy that takes a farcical look at marriage with incisive wit and razor-sharp parody. The action centers around a divorced couple both recently remarried, who accidentally book adjoining suites at the same hotel for their honeymoons. Featuring: Larry Buzzeo, John Chaplin, Babara Eaker, Megan James and Midge Mamatas. Private Lives will run from July 10- July 27, 2008 Thursdays through Sundays at the Shimberg Playhouse at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. For ticket reservations please call 813-259-7827. Special Preview Ticket Price: $10 for Thursday July 10th; $24.50 for all other performances; $10 for Students/Seniors/Military 30 minutes before curtain (based on availability). Curtain at 8 p.m. Thurs-Sat, 4 p.m. Sundays. Group rates available: $20.83 groups of 10 or more; call Stageworks at 813 251-8984.

Same Time, Next Year
July 11-27

One of the most popular romantic comedies of the century; "Same Time, Next Year" by Bernard Slade ran for four years on Broadway. It remains one of the world's most widely produced plays. The plot follows a love affair between two people, married to others who rendezvous once a year. Twenty-five years of manners, morals and attitudes are hilariously enacted by lovers, Doris and George. Performed by the New Tampa Players. Showings: July 11 at 8 p.m., July 12 at 8 p.m., July 13 at 2 p.m., July 18 at 8 p.m., July 19 at 8 p.m., July 20 at 2 p.m., July 25 at 7 p.m., July 26 at 7 p.m., July 27 at 2 p.m. Admission: $15 for adults; $10 for Carrollwood Cultural Center members, students and seniors. For more information, go to www.carrollwoodcenter.org.

Choose Your Own Shakespeare
July 11-27

Hat Trick presents Choose Your Own Shakespeare, a ludicrously unconventional look at the most famous works in history. Think that Shakespeare just isn't for you? Prepare to have your mind changed! Hat Trick’s Company Manager, Lani McGettigan, creator of Choose Your Own Shakespeare directs this mad house of mischief, mayhem and Macbeth. Hat Trick members April Bender, Careena Cornette, and Steve Fisher join area actors Nevada Caldwel, Greg Milton, and Keith Odums in this salacious soliloquy of stagecraft. Remember: Friday, July 11 is our opening night party. You won't want to miss out on all the free food and drink as well as your chance to meet the people who created this once in a lifetime event! Discounted tickets are already on sale on our website: www.HatTrickTheatre.org.

Raymond James Financial Art Collection Studio Tour
Wed., July 23, 6:30 p.m.

Members of Avant Garde (the young professionals group of the Tampa Museum of Art), The Contemporaries (Museum of Fine Arts), de Young and Restless (Dunedin Fine Arts Center), Les Fauves (Gulf Coast Museum of Art) and the Zodiac Group (Salvador Dali Museum of Art) are invited for this exclusive event. Join us as we tour the Tom and Mary James/Raymond James Financial Art Collection, one of Florida’s largest private art collections, including over 1,800 pieces. Attendance is limited. RSVP to info@tampa-avantgarde.org by July 21.

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Special thanks to this week’s BUZZ volunteers:
Editor: Megan Voeller
Creative Contributors: Donna Manion and Deanne Roberts.
Design and Distribution: Sean Kelly