Great Florida Shootout Action

Saw a really good game between two closely matched teams yesterday -- Miller Grove (Ga.) vs. St. Pete High School. A real nail-biter at the Great Florida Shootout. Final Score Miller Grove 68, St. Pete 65. More pictures here: http://bit.ly/80GGad

Engineering News-Review notes Osceola program

A prestigious Trade publication has written an article about the way Osceola is getting road projects done. Osceola County, Fhas overhauled its roadbuilding program by hiring firms that typically do vertical construction management. Roadwork in the county had increased sevenfold while public-works department staff went from 240 to 190.

Merry Christmas

Season's Greetings and Merry Christmas to all readers of this blog!

Looking forward to an exciting 2010!

AECOM buys Glatting Jackson

AECOM Technology Corporation (NYSE: ACM - News), a leading provider of professional technical and management support services for government and commercial clients around the world, has acquired Glatting Jackson Kercher Anglin. Both firms have done or are doing work for Osceola County.

The 90 employees from GJKA will enhance AECOM’s offerings in the areas of environmental services, landscape architecture, planning, transportation and urban design, according to a press release.

Shootout starts Saturday

This just in. If it's Christmas, there must be a bunch of high school basketball going on in the Sunshine state.

Kissimmee’s  Florida  Shoot Out starts with a bang at the Silver Spurs Arena. Can hardly wait.

Read pass the jump for a summary of first-day matchups.

Gaylord promotes Gallineau

Gaylord Entertainment Company has announced the promotion of Kemp Gallineau, currently senior vice president and general manager of Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, to senior vice president and chief sales officer for Gaylord Hotels.

Gallineau will be succeeded at the Gaylord Palms by Johann Krieger, currently vice president and hotel manager at the property. Both appointments are effective January 1, 2010.

Youth soccer stars at Disney

"Disney’s Soccer Showcase, which kicks off Sunday, features the top high school soccer stars in America competing head-to-head in what is widely considered the preeminent youth soccer tournament in the nation. And to give it that World Cup feel, the Soccer Showcase will be the first youth tournament to let teams play with the official World Cup ball."

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2009/12/top-youth-soccer-stars-getting-their-kicks-at-disney/

Biomass in Manatee and the Carolinas

According to BioMass Digest, the Florida  Public Service Commission approved a $185 million biomass project to be built in Manatee by Florida Biomass Energy. The 60 megawatt project will utilize woody biomass and energy crops as feedstock, and will commence construction in spring 2010 on a 35-acre complex in the Port Manatee area.

Meanwhile Progress Energy Carolinas has sent out an RFP for 40-75 MW in woody biomass-based power, from independent power producers, to come online in 2013. There is a drive to add renewable power capacity as North Carolina progresses towards its 12.5 percent renewables mandate in 2020. PEC seeks to acquire 100 percent of the power, plus renewable energy certificates (RECs) from the producer. capacity.