Epic Thanks Tampa Bay

Epic Thanks Tampa Bay is about more than just one person or cause. It’s about a community coming together to support one another as we strive to change the world one changemaker at a time. Epic Thanks Tampa Bay is currently seeking nominations for local Bay area changemakers doing something extraordinary for others. This could be something as simple as running a food bank for the less fortunate within the community that with a little extra money and a team of people supporting their cause they could make a larger impact, feed more people and in the end change more lives.

Do you know that changemaker? Do you know that person that isn’t looking for recognition, but spends every extra minute that they can keeping their efforts going? Are YOU that local changemaker we are seeking? If you are or do know of someone, now is YOUR opportunity to speak up for an opportunity that could very possibly change their lives and their efforts for the better.

Nominations are accepted through August 31.

Full story and nomination form

Lakeland Local

In February, photographer Cindy Skop accompanied reporter Cary McMullen to earthquake-ravaged Haiti. The two Ledger staff reported on the relief efforts of Auburndale businessman Mike Wnek. Now, Skop is using her photographs to help bring relief to the people she photographed.

Skop has teamed with the Polk Museum of Art to uniquely display her photographs — on sheets similar to the makeshift tents many Haitians erected after the earthquake.

Full story

St. Petersburg Times

For Chris Perry and his German shepherd mix, Molly, the stretch of sand at Davis Islands Seaplane Basinsoothes the soul.

The beach’s industrial backdrop doesn’t faze Perry, who says thenarrow strip of shoreline sanctioned for dogs is well worth the 20-minute drive from his home in Seminole Heights.

“She’s kind of high strung,” he says, watching Molly wade into the surf in pursuit of a ball. “She’s got to do something every day. It gets me out, too.”

Molly trots up to other beachgoers, nuzzling them with a drenched ball clenched in her jaws. She could not do this at just any dog park. Perry watches fondly as fellow dog owners oblige Molly’s steadfast drive to fetch. Clearly, the beach can cement the connection between man and best friend.

“It is great exercise and playtime for your dog, both of which are very important for your dog’s well-being,” veterinarian Shawna L. Green says. “Not to mention the bonding that will help your relationship. It is win-win for both of you.”

Full story and list of dog-friendly beaches

Maddux Report

Realize Bradenton has started a “Creative Registry” in an effort to connect with the artists, performers, designers and creative businesses in Bradenton and Manatee County.

The sign-up allows for individuals to indicate their areas of interest, ranging from calls for public art projects, exhibitions, arts and craft show information, professional collaborations, workshops, and news of other opportunities.

Full story

Small business startups and regional technology commercialization got a substantial boost when the U.S. Commerce Department announced a $2 million grant for the University of South Florida and Mote Marine Laboratory today.

The grant expands the USF CONNECT program to the Mote Aquaculture Research Park supporting a test-bed and business innovation facility that will build upon Mote’s innovative programs in sustainable energy and protein for food production. Environmentally compatible, the facility in Sarasota seeks to apply good water management principles while insuring the bio-purity of farm-raised fish protein. Mote has the largest inland facility of this kind in the nation.  New job creation is also part of the expansion.

USF and Mote signed a landmark affiliation agreement in June 2009 building upon a three-year relationship established in the Joint Center for Coastal Ocean Studies.  Through this partnership they are joining forces in new science ventures, providing expanded learning programs and creating economic development opportunities in the region and state.

“This collaboration makes excellent use of USF’s strengths in marine science and business development and we are gratified to see the Commerce Department recognizes USF’s importance to our region and the nation with this grant,” said USF President Judy Genshaft.  “USF is deeply woven into the fabric of our area’s economy through numerous research and development partnerships and projects. This one is expected to have significant global impact and it couldn’t have come along at a better time.”

The aquaculture industry currently generates $70 billion a year and according to NOAA, has the potential to triple in size in the United States by the year 2025.

“Mote is at the forefront of developing environmentally sound and sustainable ways to make farm-raised fish available and is conducting leading-edge research and development in this area,” said Mote President Kumar Mahadevan.  “Mote’s work with filtration equipment, developing pilot-scale marine systems for commercial use is aimed at increasing the efficiency of sturgeon production.  As Mote’s model becomes viable for replication, we will someday see aquaculture taking place just about anywhere in the world, including places as arid as Saudi Arabia.”

Many factors, including the state of the commercial fishing industry, human population movement to the coasts, and skyrocketing coastal property costs are affecting the need to move marine aquaculture inland..

“The need for seafood farming is well documented, an enormous percentage of seafood species around the world have collapsed,” said Rod Casto, associate vice president, USF Office of Research and Innovation and executive director of the USF Research Foundation.  “By developing sustainable inland production methods we will be able to expand opportunities for Florida’s aquaculture industry that are especially relevant given the recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

“Mote has already invested more than $23 million in this research at its 200-acre facility in Sarasota. They can expect to see a tremendous return on that investment in the form of much-needed economic growth for the local economy as well as that of the state of Florida and the country as a whole,” Casto said.