Tourism taxes up for February, fiscal year

Osceola County’s tourist development tax revenue continues to be up so far this fiscal year compared to last year, up 7 percent in February compared to the prior year after a 5.7 percent increase in January, according to the latest report from the Osceola County Tax Collector.

For the first five months of the 2010-11 fiscal year, which began Oct. 1, revenue was up 6.8 percent, with $12.37 million collected so far. February collections totaled about $2.73 million.

Helping with the increase in revenue for the month was an improved hotel/motel occupancy rate, which climbed 10.4 percent, to 59.6 percent for February compared to 54 percent for the same month a year earlier. The average daily hotel/motel room rate for February, however, dropped 0.9 percent, to $73.91 this year versus $74.58 last year.

The 6 percent tourist development tax is collected on overnight stays of 180 days or less. The  occupancy and daily room rates do not include Disney resorts.

According to the tax collector, hotel/motel stays accounted for 63.4 percent of the taxes collected in February, followed by vacation homes/condo hotels at 29.7 percent, timeshares at 5.1 percent and RV park/campground stays at 1.8  percent.

Water Reflectionsart exhibit

Toho Water Authority is hosting a Water Reflections Art Exhibit geared toward providing a unique opportunity for both water professionals and the community they serve to join together in recognizing the vital role water plays in daily lives.

The event will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Toho Water Authority Administration Building, 951 Martin Luther King Blvd., Kissimmee.  

Activities will include a meet and greet with local artists, a raffle, light refreshments and more.

Participating artists include Bobbi Mastrangelo, of Poinciana, who has participated in a variety of challenging themes. Her “Grate Works” collections have won numerous awards and can be found in prominent museum and water authority collections.

Mastrangelo covers such topics as anti-litter, environmental protection, grates, grids, manhole covers, water purity and conservation.

Other participants include members of Gallery One Artists, a local downtown Kissimmee nonprofit organization, whose collection of fine art includes watercolors, oils, acrylics, sculptures, glass, jewelry and photography.

Steffee Landing Park to be closed temporarily

The city of Kissimmee and Osceola County are reminding the public about the temporary closure of Steffee Landing Park, which is within Shingle Creek Regional Park off U.S. Highway 192 in Kissimmee.

The adjoining Steffee Landing Homestead, also within Shingle Creek Regional Park, will remain open.

Due to the construction of the Kissimmee Multi-Use Trail project, Steffee Landing Park will be closed to the public beginning Monday. The park is scheduled to reopen July 1. Upon completion, the multi-use trail will travel from U.S. Highway 192 to Martin Luther King Boulevard.

For more information, contact the Kissimmee Public Information Office at 407-518-2314 or the Osceola County Public Information Office at 407-742-0100.

Job seeker workshops in May

Workforce Central Florida in May will offer several workshops for job seekers to help them find job openings, prepare for interviews and land the job.

The workshops are  offered at no cost, but seating is limited and is offered on a first-come basis. The following workshops are available:

Résumé Writing: This workshop will identify the four major types of résumés; discuss the components of résumés; provide tips and techniques for writing a cover letter; identify skills needed for the desired position; and discuss the most effective methods of conveying job-related and transferable skills. Monday, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., JobVantage, 1563 Florida Mall Ave., Orlando.

Career Pursuit: Discover strategies for an effective job search using a variety of traditional and nontraditional methods and how to create a cyber-safe résumé. Discuss why a positive attitude is the one critical element for job search success in a tough economy. Learn strategies for organizing and planning a job search, finding jobs using the hidden job market, tips on how to access these unadvertised opportunities and developing strategies to overcome barriers. Tuesday, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Workforce Central Florida, 1392 E. Vine St., Kissimmee; and Monday, May 16, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., JobVantage, 1563 Florida Mall Ave., Orlando.

Planning and Preparing for the Interview: Identify techniques for creating positive first impressions during the interview process. Review commonly asked interview questions, discuss answers to difficult interview questions, have the opportunity to participate in mock interviews and learn the best ways to follow up with employer after the interview. Tuesday, May 17, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Workforce Central Florida, 1392 E. Vine St., Kissimmee.

Job Seeker Services Overview: Come discover the services available to assist you with your job search and prepare you to land the job you are seeking. Find information on additional resources you can take advantage of including essential tools needed to find a job in today’s market, information on community resources, details on upcoming special events and programs to assist you in overcoming employment hurdles you may face. Friday, May 20, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., JobVantage, 4360 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando.

To register for these workshops, visit www.WorkforceCentralFlorida.com/job-seeker/job-seeker-services/supercharged-skills-workshops.stml.

License-freesaltwater fishing two weekends in June

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has announced two weekends in June when a saltwater fishing license will not be required statewide.

The license-free weekend of June 4-5 is the first weekend red snapper season opens in the Gulf and the second weekend of June 18-19 is Father’s Day weekend.

The commission also announced that it would expand bay scallop season to open a week early on June 25 and extend the season by two weeks to end on Sept. 25. Small Gulf Coast communities from Steinhatchee to St. Marks to St. Joe Bay will have three extra weeks for visitors and residents to explore and enjoy this low-cost, family activity.

In addition, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida State Parks will offer half-off admission on both Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 8, and Father’s Day, Sunday, June 19. There are 160 parks throughout the state and 74 unique saltwater fishing facilities, including piers, boardwalks and jetties. Shore fishing at St. George Island, Big Lagoon and St. Joseph Peninsula state parks yields redfish, trout and whiting. Boat ramps at St. Joseph Peninsula and St. Andrew state parks allow fishermen to head out for a day of fishing in the Gulf of Mexico to catch red snapper, grouper and amberjack, to name a few.

For more information, visit www.FloridaStateParks.org or http://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/.

Gov. Scott appoints four to UCF board

Gov. Rick Scott recently announced the reappointment of Olga M. Calvet and the appointments of Richard T. Crotty, Alan S. Florez and John R. Sprouls to the Board of Trustees, University of Central Florida.

Calvet, 61, of Orlando, is the chief financial officer for Palmas Services LLC. She is reappointed for a term beginning April 13, 2011, and ending Jan. 6, 2016.

Crotty, 62, of Orlando, is the executive vice president for Crossman and Company. He succeeds Joseph Mantilla and is appointed for a term beginning April 13, 2011, and ending Jan. 6, 2015.

Florez, 34, of Flagler Beach, is the executive vice president of Brown and Brown Insurance. He succeeds Phyllis Klock and is appointed for a term beginning April 13, 2011, and ending Jan. 6, 2016.

Sprouls, 52, of Windermere, is the executive vice president and chief executive officer of Universal Parks and Resorts. He succeeds Judy Albertson and is appointed for a term beginning April 13, 2011, and ending Jan. 6, 2016.

The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.