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Osceola County Procurement Services invites business owners to attend Vendor Appreciation Day from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday in the Extension Services Building at Osceola Heritage Park, 1921 Kissimmee Valley Lane, Kissimmee.

The free event is an opportunity for company representatives to talk with procurement professionals and their customers about services and products and perhaps do business with such groups as Osceola County Schools, St. Cloud, Kissimmee and Kissimmee Utility Authority.

Details: 407-742-0900 or osceola.org.


Lineman competition

The eighth annual Florida Lineman's Competition will be Saturday in Lakeland. The competition includes 26 teams and 45 apprentices from more than a dozen Florida electric utilities.

The purpose of the daylong event is to demonstrate the safety, skill and education of electric linemen.

There are two levels of competition within the rodeo: journeyman and apprentice.

The journeyman teams consist of three members -- two climbers and a ground person. A qualified journeyman has more than four years of experience within the electric utility trade.

An apprentice lineworker competes as an individual and has four or fewer years of experience.


Golf tournament

The 28th annual St Cloud Greater Osceola County Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament is April 12 at Kissimmee Bay Country Club. There is an 8 a.m. shotgun start.

Cost: $70, which includes door prize, beverage on course, goody bag, prizes and lunch.

Registration: Patty, 407-892-3671.


Avatar gives to a cause

Avatar Properties Inc. recently raised $15,389 for breast cancer education and research at its third annual Realtors, Affiliates & Friends Charity Golf Tournament and Walk-a-Thon at Solivita in Poinciana.

The funds were donated to Florida's Suncoast Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.


Value Pawn opens store

Value Pawn and Jewelry of Orlando recently opened its fourth store in the Kissimmee area at 2601 Boggy Creek Road. "We plan on expanding even more in the Kissimmee area because we see a lot of growth potential," said John Thedford, chief executive officer. "Kissimmee is also home to our highest grossing stores in Florida."


Bense appointed adviser

Elaine Bense has been appointed Senior Tax Advisor IV for H&R Block, 3137 U.S. Highway 192 in Kissimmee. Previously she was in business operation management and business systems analysis.


ChampionsGate tournament

ChampionsGate Resort will play host to more than 280 commercial-property professionals and developers at the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties 2008 golf tournament on April 4.


Golf prizes needed

The Kissimmee-Osceola County Chamber of Commerce needs prizes for its 2008 Osceola Golf Classic on April 25.

Goody-bag items should come in quantities of 300.

Details: Jill Stevenson, 407-847-3174, Ext. 236.




Linda Florea of the Sentinel staff compiled this report. Items for this column may be sent to her at Orlando Sentinel, 804 W. Emmett St., Kissimmee, FL 34741 or osceola@orlando sentinel.com. Phone: 407-931-5930. Fax: 407-931-5959.