BUSINESS NOTES SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS: The Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce 2008 Small Business of the Year Awards Gala will be held Thursday at The Palmetto Club, 17004 Dorman Road, Lithia. A reception begins at 6 p.m., and dinner starts at 7 p.m. Individual tickets are $35; corporate tables of eight cost $350 and include preferred seating, signs and event recognition. Register online at www.brandonchamber .com or call (813) 689-1221. The event is sponsored by The Tampa Tribune and The Brandon News & Tribune. ...more

October 22, 2008

BUSINESS NOTES HOSPITAL PLANS HIGH-TECH UNITS: Several high-tech medical units are under construction and set to open soon at Brandon Regional Hospital. Chief Executive Officer Mike Fencel said a 40-bed Neuroscience Center will be ready to serve patients by the end of this year. People with brain and spinal tumors, epilepsy and spinal disorders will be treated in the fourth-floor unit. In early 2009, noninvasive cancer treatments will be offered in the hospital's CyberKnife Cancer Center, currently under construction. Work on the new BrainLab, where neurosurgeons will perform high-tech brain surgery using state-of-the-art equipment, also is under way. Among those staffing the new neurosurgical unit will be Phillip Henkin, former director of the Spine and Brain Institute at St. Vincent's Hospital in Jacksonville, who recently was hired at Brandon Regional. ...more

October 8, 2008

BUSINESS NOTES APRON'S OPENS: Publix Super Markets Inc. opened its first stand-alone Apron's Make-Ahead Meal class Sept. 4 at 5672 FishHawk Crossing Blvd., Lithia, in the FishHawk Crossing shopping center. Apron's offers scheduled sessions during which customers visit various stations stocked with recipe ingredients, assemble their own meals and package them to take home. Each meal feeds from four to six people. Prices range from three meals for $59.99 to 12 meals for $189.99. The store also offers pre-made, take-out meals. For information or to reserve a day and time for meal making, go to www.publixmakemeals.com or call (813) 643-4352. ...more

September 10, 2008

BUSINESS NOTES CONGRESSIONAL UPDATE: Winthrop Barn Theater, 11349 Bloomingdale Ave., Riverview. The Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Congressional Update at noon today. Confirmed speakers include U.S. Reps. Adam Putnam and Gus Bilirakis, who will present an overview of current congressional discussions and how federal policies affect local businesses, education, health care and quality of life. There will be a question-and-answer session. Call the chamber at (813) 689-1221 or e-mail abraden@brandonchamber.com. ...more

August 20, 2008

BUSINESS NOTES GROCERY RETAILER HIRING: ALDI, a no-frills grocery retailer, plans to open new stores in the Brandon area in the fall and is seeking qualified candidates for manager trainee and cashier positions. Company officials said they hope to bring high-paying jobs, affordable grocery prices and quality foods to the Brandon area. The store will stock fresh fruits and meats, frozen foods, dairy and bakery items, canned goods, paper products and more. Applications can be picked up from 6 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday at Embassy Suites, 3705 Spectrum Blvd., Tampa. For more information about ALDI, go to www.aldi. com. ...more

July 30, 2008

Tuesday NETWORKING PROFESSIONALS LEADS GROUP: Weekly at 7:30 a.m., St. Petersburg Yacht Club, 11 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Call Ron O'Connor at (727) 367-3737. ...more

June 2, 2008

Thursday NETWORKING PARTNERS: A Chapter Of Business Network International, weekly at 7:30 a.m., $10, St. Pete Times Forum, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa. Call Jerry Hurley at (813) 220-1981. ...more

May 28, 2008

Tuesday CBMC OF TAMPA: Operation Timothy, weekly at 7 a.m., Sheraton Suites hotel bar, 4400 W. Cypress Ave., Tampa. Call Bill Martin at (813) 314-2278. ...more

May 26, 2008

Tuesday CARROLLWOOD BUSINESS NETWORKING ASSOCIATION: Weekly at 7 a.m., Mimi's Cafe, 11702 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa. Call (813) 960-0203. ...more

May 19, 2008

Kim Pham's 3-year-old business is a success, and that's partly due to the small business courses the county provided her years ago. ...more

February 13, 2008