Business buzz

Out of chaos, a wedding video

There is sure be the usual plethora of Valentine's Day marriage proposals this week, but then comes the fun part -- planning for the wedding.

What about video? Why go to the expense of hiring a pro when Uncle Sandy, Aunt Linda, Cousin Johnny and Brother Paul all have those high-tech video cameras?

The problem there is that along with the perfectly filmed, sunset-lit film chronicle of the ceremony, you also have video evidence of Uncle Gary passing out in the punchbowl, 30 minutes of the reception hall floor because your best friend Bill forgot to turn off his camera and other embarrassing and useless footage.

That is where Parrish-based Home Video Studio says it can help.

Matt Pierce, owner of the franchised studio, says he can edit the video taken by your wedding guests and create a customized video scrapbook.

Besides the wedding videos, Pierce said, he can produce photo/video montages of the bride and groom for wedding rehearsals, and can transfer previously recorded VHS tapes to DVD.

For more information, call 776-0010, e-mail matt.p@homevideostudio or go to www.homevideostudio.com.

-- Gerard Walen

Bicycle shop gets eco-conscious

Karen Freeman and Earl Lang, owners of Acme Bicycle Shops in Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte, say they have recently taken steps in their bicycle shops to be eco-friendly.

Among their endeavors:

The shops are lighted with energy-efficient florescent lights.

Insulation has been installed in the ceiling and walls to reduce the need for cooling and heating.

Signs and exterior lights are on timers to reduce electricity usage.

Used bicycles and replaced parts are recycled. The bicycles, mostly donated trade-ins, are given to the Edgewater Methodist Church for its Bicycle Ministry. Church volunteers make these bicycles serviceable and then give them to anyone in need.

Unusable parts, wheels and frames are collected and taken to the recycling center to be put back into the system. Cardboard packaging is collected by a paper recycler.

Earl Lang commutes to work by bicycle at least one day a week to save on gasoline, and he encourages customers use their bicycles rather than a car to run errands and shop. Many customers equip their bicycles with racks and baskets so that they can use them for shopping.

-- Staff report

Firm creates volunteer program

In honor and memory of former paralegal Judith K. Green, who died in December, Sarasota law firm Abel Band, Chartered, has established The Judith K. Green Abel Band Employee Volunteer Program.

Abel Band will provide its employees one paid work day of volunteer time per year, which would result in more than 700 volunteer hours to the community.

"In the event of an untimely loss of an employee, it is often difficult to express a company's appreciation of the employee's commitment and responsibility to the employee's family, friends and co-workers," said Jan Walters Pitchford, managing shareholder of the firm, in a statement. "We sincerely hope that The Judith K. Green Abel Band Employee Volunteer Program memorializes the positive impact Ms. Green made on our firm and within her community of family and friends."



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