The Buzz

What do you do in the down time, when you're waiting? Some [drivers] read books or watch a movie in the back. Some might clean the car or go grab coffee. It depends on the time of day.

Are limos as private as they seem? People think it's a moving hotel, they think the driver can't hear them or see them. Some crazy X-rated stuff goes on in the back of limos, because people think it's private, but they don't realize that when you have the lights on inside, people can see through the windows at nighttime.

-Rebecca Loveridge

getaways

Bermuda Beckons

>>Visit Britain without the jet lag. June's ideal for Bermuda, the world's oldest British-dependent territory (settled in 1612), a scant 260 miles off the U.S. coast. Gardens are abloom, the crunch crowds of July and August aren't there, legendary pink-sand beaches beckon. And it's the Queen's birthday, with appropriate celebrations.

SEE: Bermuda is thought to be the inspiration for Shakespeare's isle in The Tempest, so see it by sea. Specifically, grab the WildCat, (441) 293-7433, a high-speed catamaran that circumnavigates the country in three hours, with historic/ecological narrative and a rockin' music soundtrack. For a slower pace, call John DeShields, (441) 237-1395, to take you on a genteel horse-and-carriage tour of St. George, with its treasure-trove of historic buildings and local lore.

DINE: Meet the locals, casually, and indulge in first-rate traditional Bermudian cuisine (you'll love the chowder with sherry peppers) served at The Lobster Pot in Hamilton, www.bermuda.com/lobsterpot. For romance and gourmet grub, nab a terrace table overlooking gardens, turquoise waters and the sunset at the Seahorse Grill at Elbow Beach Resort, www.mandarinoriental.com.

SHOP: Get thee to the historic pastel shops lining Hamilton's Front Street. What to buy: kilts, cashmere, bone china, linen, local rum and art. Where to buy them: The Irish Linen Shop, venerable Trimingham's department store, Onion Jack's for edgy souvenirs and great homemade condiments, and The Island Shop for unique pottery, art and linens.

STAY: Snuggle happily in one of the island's cozy, luxurious cottage colonies. Two favorites, both with private South Shore beaches, great restaurants and a romantic, exclusive ambiance are Ariel Sands, www.arielsands.com, co-owned by actor Michael Douglas, and The Reefs, www.thereefs.com. Do dress for dinner at either.

INSIDER TIP: Forgo renting motorbikes and worrying about driving on the "wrong" side of the road. Take taxis, enjoy the view, wine with dinner . and late-night dancing at The Deep, the hot new ocean-side club at Elbow Beach Resort. Remember: any Bermuda visit must include an inaugural Dark 'n' Stormy-ginger beer and rum, the national drink-at the Swizzle Inn, (441) 293-1854, en route from the airport. This should also be the last stop before you leave.

-Mary Alice Kellogg

making waves

Shaping the Future

>>Penny Bladich describes her personal credo this way: "Always try to maintain balance in your life; focus on what's important." Bladich, 31, talks about it in the context of work and family, but she's also helping to maintain balance in a larger perspective as co-chair of the Southwest Florida Urban Land Institute (ULI) Young Leaders Group.

The ULI brings together private industry, environmental organizations and public agencies to provide solutions to land issues in our area. Bladich is in charge of recruiting real estate professionals under age 35 into the group.

"We want the leaders of tomorrow to interact with the leaders of today in order to learn about land-use issues. The goal is to enhance the total environment," she says.

"With our growth, it's important to have an organization that helps balance the environment and development."

As an assistant vice president for the commercial real estate group at TIB Bank, Bladich has become active in the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Council of Collier County, and it was through contacts at the bank that she became involved with ULI. But her interest in the region's future is not just professional.

"I consider this my home and that's another reason ULI is important to me-to see the area that I love and that my child's going to grow up in develop, and the different aspects that are going to affect it."

-Lauren Bernaldo

my first job

Bob Ball

Lee County Port Authority director

>>"My first long-term job was at a family campground called Arrowhead in Delevan, N.Y. I started working there at 15 and continued each summer through high school. I did everything there; I was a lifeguard, I shoveled gravel, filled holes in the road and fixed bridges. I collected garbage and took it to the dump. I was paid room, board and food and got an occasional couple of bucks to go to the movies

"The owner, Merrill Bull, was a tremendous influence on me. One day he got tired of the professional world and just quit. He bought 200 acres of land and developed it into a campground. Merrill was a comedian; he ran his own camp show, he played the trumpet. He really taught me that you can do and be whatever you want to do and be.

"He helped me develop a great work ethic. You're not going to get anything unless you work; and if you work hard, you're going to get whatever you want.

"Merrill, along with my father, kept me focused on the thought that I could be whatever I wanted. That allowed me to avoid a lot of peer pressure from people around me."

-As told to Lauren Bernaldo

June 2: Cape Coral Council for Progress breakfast meeting, 7:30 a.m., Gulf Coast Village, 1333 Santa Barbara Blvd. Members, free; non-members, $15. 282-2186.

June 3: Pan-American Business Expo and Job Fair, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Harborside Event Center, Fort Myers.

June 3: Naples SCORE workshop, "Harnessing the Power of the Internet to Help Your Business," 9:30 a.m., Collier County Public Library, free. www.scorenaples.org or

430-0081 to register.

June 4: Taste of the Beach. 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Old San Carlos Boulevard, Fort Myers Beach.

June 7: Florida Gulf Chambers of Commerce Annual Luncheon, speaker Susan Pareigis, Agency for Workforce Innovation director. 11:30 a.m., Tentatorium, Punta Gorda, $20. 627-2222 to register.

June 8: Business 2 Business Expo, 3-7 p.m., Three Oaks Conference Center, Estero. Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce. $10 in advance, $15 at the door.

June 8: Fort Myers Beach membership luncheon, Pink Shell Resort, 684 Estero Blvd. $12 with reservation; $15 at the door. 454-7500.

June 12: "How to Successfully Build-out Your Office Space," 9:30-11:30 a.m., Naples Area Chamber of Commerce, 2390 Tamiami Trail N., Naples. $20. FGCU Small Business Development Center, 225-4220, or e-mail avholmes@fgcu.edu.

June 15: Business After Hours, South Beach Grill, 7205 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach. Free. 454-7500.

June 17: Naples SCORE workshop, "Advertising and Media Opportunities," 5-8 p.m., Collier County Public Library. www.scorenaples.org or 430-0081 to register.

June 17: Mick Bernard Legacy of Faith Golf Tournament, Heritage Palms Golf and Country Club, Fort Myers, to benefit the children of the late Lee County Port Authority police sergeant. 8 a.m. $75/person or $300/foursome.

560-2247; www.mickbernard.com.

June 22-24: Public Relations Society of America Florida Sunshine District Conference, "Studio PR," The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples. www.prsagulfcoast.org.

To submit events, email information to philb@gulfshorebusiness.com,

fax to 594-9987 or mail to 9051 Tamiami Trail N., Suite 202, Naples, FL 34108 at least eight weeks in advance.