January 18, 2007 6:00PM - 8:00PM Thursday Networking Event
Valerie Law, C.P.A.

Tax Time Tips for Small Business Owners and Professionals

How many times have you hesitated to pick up the phone and contact your tax service provider fearing that a) it might cost you extra, b) it was a stupid question anyway, or c) probably wouldn't get a clear answer even if a human did answer the phone. Valerie Law, C.P.A. started off her presentation at the BBPN 3rd Thursday Networking Event on January 18 by stating one of her many service qualities: "I am always accessible to my clients."

From successful small business owners, startup companies and individuals, professionals with steady careers to clients who have not filed tax returns for a number of years - Valerie has nurtured and supported them all. She prides herself on helping businesses and professionals develop a healthy tax payer's attitude and an organized process for tax preparation and filing. With extensive industry experience, creditials and professional contacts Valerie Law, C.P.A. provides tax services with a personal touch.

If you or your business is need of tax services contact Valerie Law, C.P.A. at 941.374.2353 or e-mail at Vjlaw@aol.com for a free consultation.

Tuesday, January 23, 2007 5:30PM SURE - North County Community Action Taskforce

Presentations on Proposed Drug Enforcement Zone and City of Sarasota Police Station. YOU are needed. Come, Learn, and Take Action. Meeting will be held at the Newtown Redevelopment Office 1782 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Way. For more information call: 941.373.7780.

Wednesday, January 24, 2007 6:00PM Planning Board - SPECIAL- Meeting- City of Sarasota City Hall Commission Chambers

Get involved in community redevelopment within the Sarasota Enterprise Zone! Projects proposed in the Sarasota Enterprise Zone - not complete agenda

Non Quasi-Judicial Public Hearings

The Business Center (1800 N. East Avenue): Petition 06-PA-09 requests a change to the Future Land Use Map from Sarasota County Major Employment Center to City of Sarasota Production-Intensive Commercial for a ±1.42 acre site. [Qinghong Wei, Sr. Planner].

Jericho Place ( 2007-2031 Central Avenue and 1375 20th Street): Application 06-PA-04 proposes changing the Future Land Use Map from Single Family-Moderate Density to Multiple Family-Medium Density for a ±0.63 acre site. [Harvey Hoglund, AICP, Senior Planner].
Habitat for Humanity - 11 front porch style town homes with behind-unit parking on the site, each two stories. All homes would be made available at a cost of $100-175k. These homes will be built by the residents of Newtown for the community of Newtown in partnership with the Newtown Redevelopment Office, Newtown Front Porch, and the Sarasota County Technical Institute. Residents will train within the community through Habitat for Humanity.

1060 Goodrich Avenue: Application 06-PA-08 proposes a change to the Future Land Use Map for a 1.26± acre site from Production-Intensive Commercial to Downtown Urban Mixed-Use. [Thomas Larrabee, Senior Planner].
Proposed 50 residential units, plus 6500 sf commercial. Owner committed to Community Housing Trust at least 30% units would be affordable within the 100% AMI.

Open to all. For more information contact: Dru Jones
Economic Development Coordinator, Planning & Redevelopment Department, Newtown Redevelopment Office, 1782 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way Sarasota, FL  34234, Office:   941.373.7780

Weekly Starting Tuesday, February 6, 2007 5:30PM - 7:30PM Conversations On Art - with Gale Fulton Ross at Metro Cafe'

Calling all Artists, Writers, Performers, Collectors, Dealers, Curators, Art Patrons and general public interested in the art world

Artist, Gale Fulton Ross will host a weekly “round the table” dialogue with  artists, writers, performers, and those who are generally interested in art.  The conversations will focus on why artists do what they do and how their presence supports the community. 

Fulton Ross along with two weekly invited guests begin with discussion topics chosen from the Arts Section of the New York Times. This is not a lecture series; audience participation is required for rich dialogue to take place. Topics will change weekly and include current Sarasota exhibitions and artists.  Come, eat, drink, talk ….environment is informal, spontaneous, educational, interactive and fun.  It is all about enlightenment!

Held every Tuesday from 5:30PM - 7:30PM at Metro Café on Osprey Avenue. Price: $10 includes: lite meal/coffee/tea. RSVP necessary. Sign-up at Metro or call Fulton-Ross at: 941.320.2481. Space and seating limited to 30 people. www.fultonross.com or www.metro-coffee.com

Saturday, March 3, 2007 Delta Sigma Theta - Annual Jabberwock

Bradenton Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. presents Jabberwork 2007. "Celebration of Gospel: The Old and New" featuring Delta Idol 2007, Saturday, March 3rd. Southeast High School Auditorium, Bradenton, FL. 6:30PM. The Jabberwock is an annual event in which young girls compete in various categories to become Miss Jabbewock.

Seeking sponsors for the event and Souvenir Book ads; Full page $100, Half page $60, Quarter page $35, and Business card $20.00. Also seeking a $500 sponsor for the backcover of the Souvenir Book. Deadline for ad submission - Friday, February 2, 2007.

All proceeds go towards the Delta Sigma Theta scholarship fund. Contact: Dawnyelle N. Singleton, Red Elephant Designs, 640 Cohen Way, Sarasota, FL 34236. 941.822.0613

January 18, 2007 Comcast Foundation Awards $90,000 To “Looking For Angola” Project

The Comcast Foundation has awarded Neighborhood Leadership Initiative (NLI), Inc. $90,000 on behalf of the “Looking For Angola” (LFA) project.  The grant will support educational programs in Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte County schools for the next three years.  LFA is an inter-disciplinary project that explores the rich history of slaves and Seminoles who escaped to the Tampa Bay area.  Scholars believe the settlement was established in 1812 and stretched from Tampa Bay, the Manatee River and into parts of Sarasota.  Angola inhabitants escaped from states like Georgia, South Carolina and Alabama seeking safety and freedom.  The community grew as word spread of its existence, but the settlement was destroyed in 1821.

Congratulations to Vickie Oldham, “Looking For Angola” Project Director and Cynthia Newell, NLI Founder & President for their diligent work in celebrating and educating our community and its youth through this is other projects.

For more information on the project and how you can get involved go to: www.lookingforangola.com or contact Vickie Oldham at 478.952.7623. Contact Cynthia Newell via e-mail at: cynlead@aol.com.or 941.526.841. The Comcast Foundation and its programs are available at www.comcast.com under “In the Community.”

Wednesday, February 21, 2007 National Research Project to Accelerate Growth Of Businesses Owned by Women of Color To Launch in Philadelphia

A multi-year national research study to accelerate the growth of businesses owned by women of color will be launched in Philadelphia on February 21. The study is being conducted by the Center for Women's Business Research and Babson College. The objective is to uncover the barriers and challenges that women of color face in the pursuit of business growth and to create both individual, community, and ultimately, national action plans to overcome those barriers. The research will culminate in a 2008 national conference where public- and private-sector policy recommendations generated by the research will be announced.

The Center for Women's Business Research and Babson College are recruiting women-of-color entrepreneurs. Selection criteria include owning a business that is at least 50% women-owned with annual revenues between $250,000 and $5 million. All types of industries are welcome.

Women of color entrepreneurs who meet the research criteria and want to participate should contact the Center for Women's Business Research at www.womensbusinessresearch.org/womenofcolor or at 202.638.3060 ext. 710.

Local contact information: Sharon Elizabeth Ayers via e-mail at vulcan888@aol.com

Nursing Program/Free Tuition

If you know of anyone between 18-28 years old, interested in the Nursing field, University of the District of Columbia (UDC) is offering FREE tuition, FREE books, a $250 monthly stipend.

job placement is guaranteed as a nurse at Providence Hospital upon graduation (it's a 3 year program) with a starting salary of $40,000!

The program is recruiting new students now!! Please contact Ms. Beshon Smith (202) 266-5481 or email Bsmith@urbanalliance.org

empowered quote: "I prefer to be true to myself even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of others, rather than to be false, and to incur my own abhorrence." - Frederick Douglass

BLACK BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL NETWORK
15 Paradise Plaza, Box 335    Sarasota, Florida 34239
941.366.8403      info@blackbusinesspro.com
www.blackbusinesspro.com

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