BuzzWorthyitems of note
Roger Germann, The Florida
Aquarium president and CEO, has
announced that a scientific breakthrough
has occurred in the aquarium’s Center for
Conservation in Apollo Beach that could
ultimately help save corals in the Florida
Reef Tract from extinction. Lab-induced
techniques were used to spawn Atlantic
pillar corals outside of the ocean. The
aquarium in Tampa has several projects
underway with different approaches to
save endangered species of coral.
Stu and Rebecca Sjouwerman of
Belleair have donated $4 million to the
Humane Society of Pinellas to help fund
a new indoor facility for homeless pets.
The Humane Society has been caring for
homeless pets in Pinellas County since
1949. Stu is the founder and CEO of
KnowBe4, the cyber security company
located in downtown Clearwater. In
addition to the $4 million donation, the
Sjouwermans are offering a $100,000
challenge, where they will match other
donations to the society.
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Fred and Karol Bullard are preparing to open their new Karol Hotel on
Ulmerton Road in Clearwater, which will be the first Tribute Portfolio hotel in
Pinellas County. Centrally located in Feather Sound, this new boutique hotel
will feature 123 guest rooms and suites, a signature lobby bar named for Fred,
a rooftop bar, plus event space that includes a ballroom and conference rooms.
Fred named the hotel for his wife, whose hospitable personality inspired this
resort’s luxury features and services.
Ali Amidimehr helped arrange a retrospective show of artist Milton Rochman’s
paintings at Romantika in Dunedin shortly before the artist’s death.
Leigh Davis, above,
Arts and Culture Outreach Manager
for Creative Pinellas, helped to
organize the emerging artists’ show
at the Creative Pinellas gallery that
showcased the work of grant recipients
such as sculptor Christina Bertsos
of Dunedin.
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