Content about Florida

CHICAGO — There was a time not so long ago when decision-making for savers and investors was a relatively easy task.

The ultra-conservative investor who wanted to minimize risk and was satisfied with giving up potentially large gains could stick with bank CDs or money market accounts, enjoying a steady income stream while sleeping soundly at night. The younger investor with a longer window of opportunity could invest heavily in equities, relying on historical averages to assure solid growth.

It’s not that easy these days.

The investing environment underwent gut-wrenching changes with the 2008 market meltdown. The resulting market volatility introduced emotional considerations that have benefited some and caused crippling financial pain for others.

TAMPA, Fla. — The Southern DryCleaners & Launderers Show, presented by the South Eastern Fabricare Association (SEFA), is slated for June 22-24 at the Tampa Convention Center.

SEFA calls the biennial event “the only dry cleaning and laundry show of its kind in the Southeast.” There will be opportunities for attendees to network with their peers, sit in on educational sessions and walk the show floor filled with approximately 60 exhibitors.

The June 22 general session will feature presentations covering management, marketing, and tools for success. There will be education tracks for dry cleaners and coin launderers during the two-day show.

On June 23, dry cleaners will hear about tips and tools for marketing from Al Lautenslager and “social media for dummies” from Peter Blake. The June 24 sessions for dry cleaners will cover maintenance, presented by Jim Goulet, and route development, presented by James Peuster.

LOS ANGELES — The editorial director for American Drycleaner asked if I’d write this month’s column to match up with one of the edition’s themes: energy efficiency.

“Sure,” I said, “I devote my life to being energy-efficient—although my wife more often refers to it as lazy.” I will admit to keeping the remotes when we get new cable TV boxes so I don’t need to expend the energy just looking for a single remote when there are two in the room. In the summer, we continually feed our dog treats so we can use his tail as a fan.

And I do save the need to fly to Florida by having my wife’s mom live with us. There’s a downside to it: no matter how cold we keep the house in the winter, she doesn’t talk about moving out. Her stride’s a little slower; could be age, may be frostbite.

CHICAGO — The filing deadline for 2011 federal income taxes is not far off, but you still have time to make sure you’ve done everything you can to keep Uncle Sam’s paws off as much of your money as possible. Here are some last-minute ways to do that by reducing your 2011 income tax bill:

Save More for Retirement

One of the most important tax-savings steps you can take is contributing the maximum to your 401(k) or other tax-deferred retirement plan. If you haven’t done so, max out your retirement savings now by bringing your contribution up to the legal limit. For 2011, you may put as much as $16,500 into a 401(k), 403(b) or 457 plan. If you’re over age 50, you may add an additional $5,500.

Every dollar you contribute means you will pay less income tax. Except for Roth IRAs, all contributions to tax-deferred retirement plans are tax-deductible in the tax year for which you make your contribution.

If you can’t come up with the maximum, bump up your contribution as much as you possibly can. It may seem painful now, but you’ll benefit greatly in the future.

American Cleaning Institute (ACI) Annual Meeting & Industry Convention. To be held Jan. 30-Feb. 4, 2012, at Grande Lakes, Orlando, Fla. Call 202-347-2900 or e-mail info@cleaninginstitute.org for more information.

RIVIERA BEACH, Fla. — East Coast Drycleaning Equipment hosted the 2011 East Coast Drycleaners Educational Conference at its headquarters. The three-day event opened with a golf tournament before the educational conference.

On the agenda for the opening round of educational sessions were:

• Air Quality & Maintenance, by Compressed Air Quality.
• Safe & Effective Pre-Spotting at the Counter, by Dan Eisen.
• Marketing & Social Media, by the South Eastern Fabricare Association (SEFA).
• Receiving and Handling Specialty Items, by Radiant Leather Care.
• Barcode Automation, by Iowa Techniques.
• Basic Spotting Techniques, by Seitz Chemical.
• State Environmental Regulations & Compliance, by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

Sunday's agenda included:

SARASOTA, Fla. — As with many parts of the country, drycleaning coupons abound in southwest Florida; but they only focus on getting the customer in the door, says Tom Beddia of Sarasota-based Greener Cleaner.

“We don’t focus on just getting the customer in, we focus on providing quality service at a fair price; no numbers games,” Beddia says. By not doing Sarasota laundry coupons or other drycleaners coupon offers, the Greener Cleaner is providing customer value with no gimmicks, the company says.

TAMPA, Fla. — Ever since regulatory pressure started to increase on perchloroethylene, the industry has been looking for a product that could fill its place in the industry as an easy-to-use, effective solvent—but without the baggage.

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Sudsies Dry Cleaners & Laundry recently doubled the capacity it devotes to vintage services. Demand is on the rise for the repair and cleaning of aging and damaged garments, the company says.

“Some of the best fashion finds are old favorites found in the backs of our closets or an inherited piece from a relative,” says Sudsies founder and CEO Jason Loeb. “Sudsies can revive these garments while preserving their respective stories and sentimental value.”

Jerry’s Cleaners, Naples, Fla.

Left in charge of the business after founder G.B. Fyke’s death in 2007, Diana King and the Fyke family decided it was time to update the 4,500-square-foot plant’s workings while preserving its 1950s style.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Fabric Restoration Service Team (FRSTeam) has opened a new facility in Jacksonville, Fla.

Jacqui Schaefer, who owns and oversees the FRSTeam facility in Madison Heights, Mich., also owns the new Jacksonville facility. The new facility expands FRSTeam’s ability to respond to major hurricanes, which can be a major source of business for the company in northeast Florida.