Annual Shingle Creek Adventure Challenge set for April 23

The city of Kissimmee is partnering with Osceola County to host the 2011 Shingle Creek Adventure Challenge on Saturday, April 23.

Registration is open for teams consisting of two people. The contenders will run and canoe for a total of six miles along Shingle Creek. Registration is open to the first 50 teams. Participants will receive a commemorative T-shirt and the necessary equipment for the event. Registration opens at 9 a.m. and the race begins at 10 a.m.

Teams will sign up in three different divisions: senior teams (55 and older); adult teams (16 and older); and parent/child teams (Children can be age 15 and younger). Advanced registration is $20 per team or $30 the day of the event.

The challenge will take place at Babb Landing in Shingle Creek Regional Park, 2491 Babb Road, Kissimmee. This event will be held in conjunction with the Easter Eggstravaganza, which is at the same location from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Registration forms can be obtained at any of the city’s Parks and Recreation facilities or online at www.kissimmeeparksandrec.com.

For more information, call the Parks and Recreation Department at 407-518-2501.

April 1 is next county furlough day

With the exception of public safety and other specific operations, all Osceola County Board of County Commission offices and departments will be closed Friday, April 1, for an unpaid staff furlough day.

Most departments and buildings under the administration of the commission – including libraries, human services, road and bridge, animal control, permitting and others – will be closed to the public.

Ten county furlough days are being spread throughout the year to minimize the impact to residents, saving taxpayers nearly $2.8 million. These furlough days do not apply to the Constitutional Offices (Clerk of Court, Property Appraiser, Sheriff’s Office, Supervisor of Elections and Tax Collector) or city and state offices.

For a complete list of the specific offices and departments these dates do and do not apply to, visit www.osceola.org/go/furlough.

For more information, contact the Osceola County Community Outreach/Public Information Office at 407-742-0100.

Minority Business opportunities

The Hispanic Business Initiative Fund and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, April 28, will host the 2011 Minority Business Opportunities Session.

Meet with representatives from large corporations and government agencies to discuss contracting opportunities. Participation is free but space is limited. Call 407-428-5872 to apply. No walk-ins permitted. Application for participation does not guarantee entrance to program. Invitation to participate will be based on application, industry and company profile.

Free seminar on workplace violence

Workforce Central Florida University, a service from Workforce Central Florida, at 7:45 a.m. on Wednesday, April 20, will host a free seminar on preventing and responding to workplace violence. The April workshop is presented by Jackson Lewis LLP.

Violence in the workplace presents many unique challenges to employers. This session, presented by Jackson Lewis LLP, will address the high cost of workplace violence, with a discussion of common warning signs, triggering events, “best” preventative and reactionary practices, an overview of employer and individual liability and steps every employer should consider to minimize the risk of violence in the workplace.

The seminar will be at the agency’s Administrative Office, 707 Mendham Blvd., Suite 250, Orlando.

Presenter Keith Hammond is a partner in the Orlando office of Jackson Lewis. He is a Stetson University College of Law graduate, representing and advising management in all aspects of workplace law.

Seating for the seminar is limited and advance registration is required. To register, call 407-531-1222 or visit www.WorkforceCentralFlorida.com.