Christmas Break is for the birds: This falls in the no-good-deed-goes-unpunished category.U.S. recession: It's all in our heads: The only way the U.S. economy slips into a recession is if we collectively talk ourselves into it. The underlying fundamentals are just too strong otherwise.Major hotel deal possible for Sarasota: The Sarasota-Bradenton business community could be on the verge of receiving some good news: Coffee Talk hears that the Waldorf-Astoria hotel is in the final stages of officially signing on to the Proscenium project.Mel's Diner slows, closes some restaurants: The economic downturn has hit the customers of affordable restaurants, forcing Chris Karakosta to close three of his Mel's Diner restaurants on the Gulf Coast recently.Score one for impact fee opponents: Despite the turbulent economy, impact fees imposed on developers and builders statewide have remained the tax du jour for county and local governments seeking ways to reel in more money.Wanted: Angel investors in Lee: The Lee County Economic Development office is exploring ways of creating an angel fund to invest in local companies.Clearwater firm builds CNN bus: When it came time for CNN to plan its coverage of the 2008 election campaign, the decision was made: Have Parliament Coach and Frontline Communications of Clearwater build a news bus.
