Business briefs, July 9

Bridgeway provides training to police
Bridgeway Center, Inc. looks forward to training the Crestview Police Department for two days in July on crisis response to violence, Baker Act, Marchman Act, and the role of Law Enforcement in responding to the needs and behaviors of the mentally ill and/or substance abusing individuals in our community. 
Dr. Julie Harper, a psychologist and director of the Psychological Testing and Evaluation Services Senior Program, will present first-hand professional experience on crisis response to violence from events of mass casualties in other areas of the country.  Beverly Barbarisi, licensed mental health counselor and Forensic Community Relations director, will provide insight from her years of working within the boundaries of the Florida Statutes on mental health and substance abuse.
This training is an effort to ensure officer and individual safety in crisis situations and is an outgrowth of the more extensive 40-hour Crisis Intervention Training provided in April by Bridgeway Center, Inc.’s professional staff to Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office deputies, investigators and dispatchers.

Torres joins Tastefully Simple organization
Corina Torres of Eglin A.F.B. has become an independent consultant with Tastefully Simple, Inc., a national direct-sales company featuring easy-to-prepare gourmet products.
As a consultant, Torres offers the company's gourmet foods and beverages to guests at home taste-testing parties. Guests receive samples, easy meal ideas, recipes and serving suggestions.
For more information about tastefully Simple products, taste-testing parties or the business opportunity, contact Corina Torres at cmtoo962003@yahoo.com.

Equity workshop July 22
The public is invited to attend a free real estate workshop entitled “Equity on Ice — Dealing Wisely with Home Equity” on Tuesday, July 22 at 6 p.m. at 1270 N. Eglin Parkway in Shalimar.
Let experts at ERA American Realty of Northwest Florida, Inc. show you how to prepare a cash flow analysis for each investment property you may be considering. Learn how to calculate tax-savings & tax-deferred income, as well as cash-on-cash return on your investment. Bring your laptop to this informative workshop.
Space is limited and seats are reserved. Call (850) 651-2454 to reserve your seat today. Ask for Linda Randes.

Learn more about finance at FWB library
The Money Club will hold its monthly meeting at the Fort Walton Beach Public Library on July 24 at 6:30 p.m. There is no cost to join the Money Club, and it is open to anyone who wants to understand more about their financial situation. Topics include attitudes toward money, identifying strengths and weakness, sharing information or working together to find information, and supporting one another's journey. For details about The Money Club, visit http://moneyclubs.com or contact the library at 833-9590.

SBDC workshops
The UWF Small Business Development Center at 401 E. Chase St. in Pensacola is offering the following workshops:
“Record Keeping in Small Business,” July 14, 16, 21 and 23 from 6 to 9 p.m. at a cost of $55 for the public and free of charge for UWF students and faculty who present a Nautilus card. Attendees are asked to bring a calculator. They will learn how to keep records, develop financial statements, asset depreciation schedules, and understand tax records.
“Guide to IRS Resource Tools for Small Business,” July 17 from 6 to 9 p.m. You, as a business owner, are liable for the information that is placed on your tax return even if a tax professional prepares the return.  Learn how the use of free IRS resources can help you save money. Free workshop.
Details: (850) 473-7830 or visit www.sbdc.uwf.edu online and click on “training.” 

Check out termite contracts
Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson is urging homeowners to take the time to investigate and educate themselves about pest control companies they may be considering for termite protection. His warning comes as some areas of the state are experiencing drywood termite infestations.
Subterranean termites cause the majority of damage to homes, but drywood termites can also be destructive. Since drywood termites do not need to maintain contact with the soil, they should be treated by tent fumigation or liquid treatments applied directly to the infested lumber. Licensed pest management professionals have the expertise to inspect buildings and treat them to prevent an infestation or provide treatment when the insects are found.
Termite control companies are required to provide written contracts before treating for termites and to clearly inform customers as to what type of termites their contract covers, subterranean, drywood, or both. Homeowners also need to read the fine print and find out exactly what the contract covers. The contract should specify what the company will do to protect your home and whether they will treat, re-treat, or repair any damage if a termite infestation occurs. Pest control companies are legally obligated to abide by the terms of the contract.
Consumers can contact the department at (800) HELPFLA or (800) 435-7352 to find out whether a pest control company is properly licensed, to find out how many consumer complaints have been filed against a particular business and to learn about the various types of termite control contracts.
For more information about termite protection, visit www.FloridaTermiteHelp.org.

Pine beetle program
The Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Forestry is re-offering the Southern Pine Beetle Prevention Cost-Share Program to eligible non-industrial private forest landowners. The goal of the program is to minimize southern pine beetle damage in Florida by helping forest landowners reduce the susceptibility of their pine stands to this destructive insect pest.
The program offers up to 50 percent cost reimbursement for pre-commercial thinning, prescribed burning and mechanical underbrush treatments in existing pine stands, and a $50-per-acre incentive payment for landowners who conduct a first pulpwood thinning.
In addition, landowners may apply to receive up to 50 percent reimbursement for the cost of longleaf seedlings and $25 per acre in planting cost assistance to establish a longleaf pine plantation. Qualified landowners may apply for up to two approved practices per year.  The minimum tract size requirement is 10 acres and funding requests may not exceed $10,000. 
For an application and more information on program requirements and procedures, forest landowners can visit their local Division of Forestry office or contact the county forester office in their area by visiting http://www.fl-dof.com.  Applications will be available beginning July 30 and will be evaluated on a first-received, first-served basis.