REAL Magazine Steve White of Southern Jet and SS Motorsports

REAL M A G A Z I N E

Steve White Dreams Become Reality

International Artistic Stone

We take pride in our hand carved natural stone masterpieces

“When it comes to custom stone work... if you can imagine it we can make it�

Stone Marble Granite Solid Columns Architectural Elevation Pieces Fireplace Hearths and Mantles Fountains Sculptures Carvings Ornaments Stair Treads Balusters Flooring Wall Coverings Counter Tops

International Artistic Stone, Inc 4420 Chenet Lane - Sarasota, FL 34238 - tel. (941) 923-7080 - fax. (941) 923-9939 - www. iasfl.com

i 1PSTDIF $BST /PSUI "NFSJDB *OD 1PSTDIF SFDPNNFOET TFBU CFMU VTBHF BOE PCTFSWBODF PG BMM USBGGJD MBXT BU BMM UJNFT <*ODMVEF ZPVS MPDBM BOE TUBUF SFRVJSFE EJTDMPTVSFT>

:PV NJHIU GPSHFU XIZ ZPV DBNF #VU OFWFS IPX ZPV HPU UIFSF #VJMU UP EP FWFSZUIJOH CVU CPSF ZPV 5IF 1PSTDIF TQPSUT DBS 8IJMF DFSUBJOMZ B ESFBN UP ESJWF ZPV EPO U OFFE UP CF ESFBNJOH UP ESJWF POF FWFSZ EBZ " TVSQSJTJOHMZ TQBDJPVT JOUFSJPS "O VOFYQFDUFE BNPVOU PG DBSHP TQBDF "OE UIF TFBNMFTT TIJGUJOH PG UIF BWBJMBCMF 1PSTDIF %PQQFMLVQQMVOH 1%, USBOTNJTTJPO TP FWFSZPOF DBO GFFM DPNGPSUBCMF UBLJOH UIF XIFFM 5IF 5IF #PYTUFS 5IF $BZNBO /PU KVTU NFBOU UP CF MPPLFE BU .FBOU UP CF ESJWFO FWFSZ EBZ 1PSTDIF 5IFSF JT OP TVCTUJUVUF

&OHJOFFSFE GPS NBHJD &WFSZ %BZ

4VODPBTU 1PSTDIF 4 5BNJBNJ 5SBJM 4BSBTPUB '-

XXX TVODPBTU QPSTDIFEFBMFS DPN

Porsche recommends

SPECTACULAR WATERFRONT LIVING FROM THE $200’S Sales Center 941-721-6280 • 2925 Terra Ceia Bay Blvd. #2203 • www.TerraCeiaBay.com

You Must Visit Terra Ceia Bay to Appreciate the Construction, the Amenities, and the Unique Natural Setting.

OPEN HOUSE FEBRUARY 10,11,12 Come See What Makes Terra Ceia Bay So Unique!

18 Holes of Golf • Tennis • 500’ Fishing Pier • Nature Preserve Pool and Clubhouse Featuring The Grove House Grill Restaurant

Limited Availability – All with Great Views. Visit Us Today for the Best Selection of Models While They Last.

A Powerful Combination of Skills & Talent Design Education, Construction Experience, Marketing Expertise A Fresh Perspective with Concierge Service

get REAL

www.the-real-magazine

“Happy New Year!”

We will hear that greeting for a few more weeks as the New Year kicks off. But do you know the day celebrated as New Year's Day in modern America was not always January 1st?

Celebrating New Year is the oldest of all holidays, first observed in ancient Babylon about 4,000 years ago. History shows that somewhere around 2,000BC, the Babylonians observed New Year with the first New Moon (first visible crescent) following the Vernal Equinox (first day of spring).

The Babylonian New Year celebration lasted for eleven days, with each day having its own unique celebration.

The practice of setting a New Year's resolution dates back to the early Babylonians. The Babylonians most popular New Year resolution was to return borrowed farm equipment.

Tracy Eisnaugle Realtor Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate St. Armand’s 423 St. Armand’s Circle Sarasota, Fl. 34236 direct 941.232.3358 fax 941.388.3231 www.FloridaMoves.com/ Tracy.Eisnaugle tracy.eisnaugle@florida.moves.com

The Romans continued to observe the New Year in late March. Continual tampering with the calendar by the Roman emperors eventually caused the calendar to be out of synchronization with the sun.

To reset the calendar, in 153BC the Roman Senate declared January 1st the beginning of the New Year. However, calendar tampering continued until in 46BC Julius Caesar established the Julian Calendar. It once

again established January 1st as New Year’s Day. To synchronize the calendar with the sun, Caesar had to let the previous year span 445 days. Our practice of the Champaign toast at midnight leads back to the ancient Romans and Greeks.

As the Romans continued to celebrate New Years in the first centuries AD, the early Catholic Church condemned the festivities as paganism. As Christianity became more widespread, the church began having its own religious observances along with many of the pagan celebrations.

The popularity of the baby as a symbol of rebirth forced the Church to reevaluate its position. The Church finally allowed its members to celebrate the New Year with a baby, symbolizing the birth of the baby Jesus. New Years is still observed as the Feast of Christ's Circumcision by some denominations.

Only for the past 400 years have Western nations celebrated New Years as a holiday.

Wishing you a prosperous and rewarding 2012!

Ed Bertha Ed Bertha January 2012

Waterfront Specialists www.PerroneConstruction.com 941.924.6900 7045 S. Tamiami Trail Sarasota Celebrating 31 Years of Building Sarasotas Finest Waterfront Residences

CBC017177

CBC017177

t a b lt aeb l o ff ccoo e o n tn e ntt se n t s On the Cover 26

Steve White: Dreams Become Reality

by Ed Bertha

Invitation Only

46

Team Tony: Survival is Just the Beginning

by Lalaena Gonzalez-Figueroa

RSVP Required

12

INNDESIGN: Where Custom Meets Creative

by Kacey C. Krznaric

16

Nutter Custom Construction: Inspired By You. Created By Us.

by Lalaena Gonzalez-Figueroa

26

REAL Beauty

38

Sparkle Your Hair

by Sheila Venancia

In the News 22

Whole Foods Market, Sarasota Opera, MTO's Fast Life

23

Penny Hill Group, Habitat For Humanity, Mark Grigoli

46

Perspectives 24

The Birth of ReStore

by Mark Miller

36

Click; Click; Fashionably Styled In Tampa

by Ed Bertha

40

Interview with Steve Kempton Esplanade at Lakewood Ranch

by Ed Bertha

42

What Will The New Year Bring?

by Patricia Tan

44

How And When To Engage a Contractor

by William Henry, PhD

50

Putting Is About Speed

by Chad Jones

12

Follow REAL Magazine on Your Phone!

Microsoft Tag

Neoreader Tag

Get the free app for your phone at... www.get.neoreader.com

www.gettag.mobi

36

get REAL

www.the-real-magazine.com Executive Publisher Ed Bertha (941) 921.2117 edbertha@ the-real-magazine.com Cover & Masthead Photography Giovanni Lunardi

REAL Magazine is produced monthly by Enterprise Connections, Inc. Principal office: 6743 Ashley Court, Sarasota, FL 34241. COPYRIGHT Š 2011 REAL MAGAZINE. All content copyrighted. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Although precautions are taken to ensure the accuracy of published materials, REAL Magazine cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by its authors. All listing information published in REAL Magazine is deemed

reliable but not guaranteed. Contact agent directly to verify listing information which is subject to change.

WEBSITE: www.the-real-magazine.com offers RSS feeds, current and past issues, links to sponsors, an event calendar, unique editorial, a blog and additional information on the community at large.

SUBSCRIPTIONS: Please call 941.921.5027, write 2945 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, FL 34239 or visit www.thereal-magazine.com, $24.95/year.

Design & Layout Karen Krier Contributing Writers Tracy Eisnaugle Lalaena Gonzalez-Figueroa Kacey C. Krznaric Steven J. Smith

Photography Giovanni Lunardi Chad Spencer

Subscriptions & Circulation Innovative Agent Services

Executive Producer Video ViaVio; Leslie Brown

Printing Manatee Printers, Inc.

Creative Director Christian Lunardi

Production Enterprise Connections

ADVERTISING: Please call 941.921.2117, write 6743 Ashley Court, Sarasota, FL 34241 or visit www.the-realmagazine.com.

POSTMASTER: Please send notices on Form 3579 to 2945 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, FL 34239. Standard mail paid in Sarasota, Florida.

r s vr spv prre e qq u iu r ei dr e d INNDESIGN INC: Where Custom Meets Creative

By Kacey C. Krznaric

INNDESIGN is a state-of-the-art innovative kitchen and bath design and remodeling company, specializing in home storage and space planning. In addition to INNDESIGNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s accredited team of professionals that share 100 years of combined experience in the industry and a refined eye for detail, their focused and clientcentered approach is what sets them apart in the business.

Since its conception in 1988, INNDESIGN has seen many changes in over 2 decades. From its humble roots of cabinet and countertop design, the company has expanded its vision to later develop into a hub for complete design and remodeling. Owner and creative designer, Vesta Snell, currently employs a specialized team of highly qualified individuals aside from herself that are responsible for the day-to-day progression and continued success of this family-born business. INNDESIGN is committed to working side by side with their clients and using their talents and abilities to bring the clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vision to fruition.

A service-first, design-strong, and highly experienced team of professionals will work with a client from the initial planning phase of the project to the final, finishing touches of a guaranteed high quality product. The team is dedicated to approach each individual job with an enthusiasm and professionalism from start to finish, ensuring a smooth transition from vision to creation of what could be an otherwise challenging- and often times frustrating- endeavor for an individual to do on their own.

Vesta and the team at INNDESIGN encourage you to visit their showroom in Sarasota to see their exquisite custom cabinetry and furniture and both artistic and functional designs and remodels.

At INNDESIGN, client satisfaction is their number 1 priority. You are sure to get a high-quality product delivered with a beautiful aesthetic and the team will work diligently to exceed your expectations.

Vesta Snell INNDESIGN INC 2074 Constitution Blvd | Sarasota, Florida 34231 vesta@inndesigninc.com www.inndesigninc.com | www.inndesignkitchens.com 941-921-6709 office | 941-650-8961 cell

|

12 REAL Magazine

| www.the-real-magazine.com

Leasing Distinctive Properties to Extraordinary People

Long Term & Vacation Rentals

rental property management www.JennetteProperties.com

SARASOTA South

Downtown

941.927.7222 941.953.6000

manatee East

West

941.359.3435 941.792.6900

Empire Gallery Offering a wide variety of high quality items, including furniture, home furnishings, crystal, chandeliers, paintings, statutes, mirrors, bronze and fountains.

Empire Gallery

www.empireclassicgallery.com

Amazing Inventory 1515 Fruitville Rd.at Prices Hours: Unbelievable Mon. thru Sat. 10am-5pm 1515 Fruitville Rd. Hours: Mon. thru Sat. 10am-5pm

941.954.4900 rdtrade1@yahoo.com 941.954.4900

Amazing Inventory at Unbelievable Prices 1515 Fruitville Rd. Hours: Mon. thru Sat. 10am-5pm

941.954.4900

and

the

PENNY HILL GROUP Residential Lending Experts Portfolio Loans â&#x20AC;˘ All Condo Types â&#x20AC;˘ Jumbo Options Call today to find out how we can expedite your dream project.

Scott Kolbe

Penny Hill

Melissa Rickey

( 941) 302-5074

( 941) 302-5073

( 941) 302-5075

skolbe@insigniabank.com

phill@insigniabank.com

mrickey@insigniabank.com

Downtown Office

Cattlemen Road Office

333 North Orange Ave. | Sarasota, FL 34236

5850 Fruitville Road | Sarasota, FL 34232

All the Tour of Homes models

are still open

Lakewood Ranch unveiled 41 furnished models at Tour of Homes— and these same models are still open daily to tour! With more than 17 award-winning builders to choose from—your choices are endless.

As one of the nation’s most desirable master-planned communities, and with more than 165 homes currently under construction, Lakewood Ranch continues to be one of the most sought after communities in the country.

Discover the life that you have been waiting for. Feel free to tour at your leisure or let us take you on a FREE guided tour.

Call or visit one of our Information Centers for more information.

EXIT 220

LORRAINE RD.

64

BRADENTON 70

EXIT 217

INFORMATION CENTER

EXIT 213

UNIVERSITY PKWY.

75

PREMIER SPORTS CAMPUS

LAKE CLUB INFORMATION CENTER

INFORMATION CENTER

tour of homes models open daily

SARASOTA POLO CLUB

TOUR 41 MODELS WITH OVER 17 BUILDERS TO CHOOSE FROM

FRUITVILLE RD.

41

SARASOTA

University Information Center Directions:

Take I75 to University exit 213, head east just past Lake Osprey Drive; University Information Center on right.

941.907.6000 Tour daily! Information Centers & Model Hours: Monday - Saturday 10 a.m.– 5:30 p.m. | Sunday Noon – 5 p.m.

Homes with home sites from $140s to over $5 million Prices subject to change without notice.

r s vr spv prre e qq u iu r ei dr e d Nutter Custom Construction:

Inspired By You. Created By Us.

By Lalaena Gonzalez-Figueroa | Photography by Chad Spencer T.J. is a prevailing presence in his company; clients choose to work with Nutter Custom Construction because they desire the communication and hands-on presence that he provides. His well-developed business offers support and services that larger builders provide, but without the layers of personnel that often prevent clients from connecting directly with their builders.

“My business philosophy is that we’re approaching residential construction from a truly service-oriented aspect,” explains T.J. “Our clients aren’t limited to working with a site- or project manager; they have direct access to me.” T.J. notes that it’s imperative that he maintain ongoing involvement throughout the course of a build. “I’ve been a part of this community my entire life; my homes reflect my commitment to that.”

A full-service construction firm created to provide a concierge experience for its clients, Nutter Custom Construction is creating beautiful and unique homes that reflect their owners’ distinct lifestyles.

Founder T.J. Nutter, a native of Sarasota, utilizes his extensive background in residential building and construction management in order to facilitate an ideal process for his clientele. Not only are they privy to the spectacular and solid residences built by Nutter Custom Construction, but they also enjoy a client-centric approach that minimizes stress and inconvenience. Turnkeyready homes are ideal for local residents, vacationers or homeowners relocating to the Sarasota region.

|

16 REAL Magazine

While Nutter Custom Construction handles significant remodeling projects, the firm is focused on environmentallyresponsible custom new construction.

The signature is quality; every home is built with an understanding of how to maximize efficiency, minimize the carbon footprint, and create a legacy for generations to come.

Communication is the foundation upon which successful partnerships are built.

T.J. observes, “Our clients come to us because they want to achieve their idea of paradise. Our responsibility is to listen, to understand what they’re looking for, and to construct the home that represents their dream.”

Building a tangible representation of a vision includes significantly more than creating the structure itself. Each home adapts to its surroundings, maximizing light, views and existing flora. The firm also provides a comprehensive package that includes interior design services and a well-equipped design center, along with a concierge-level program that ensures each home is move-in ready. “We’ll go so far as to put silverware in the kitchen drawers,” states T.J. “Our promise to our clients is that

| www.the-real-magazine.com

we will offer the specific services they want and need.”

It’s a promise backed by experience and comprehensive industry knowledge. T.J. is highly qualified: a state-certified licensed home inspector, he is also licensed by the State of Florida as a building contractor and real estate sales associate. He is an accredited LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) professional as well. Years in the field have enabled him to build a trusted network of local subcontractors, whom he refers with each client’s specific needs in mind. “Everyone is different,” he observes. “I try to pair the right company with every individual, and I only refer people with whom I have completed business.”

T.J. is the 2011 Chairman of the Sarasota County General Contractor License Board, and is actively involved with the City of Sarasota Historical Preservation Board as well. He is a past president and lifetime director of the Manatee/Sarasota Homebuilders’ Association. “Giving my time to my industry is important, because building professionals play crucial roles in helping to sustain the beauty and character of our community,” he notes.

“Through professional involvement, we also contribute to maintaining integrity within our industry.”

Nutter Custom Construction works with clients throughout Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties. The firm looks forward to setting new standards of quality and customer care.

Nutter Custom Construction 5539 Marquesas Circle Sarasota, FL 34233 (941) 924.1868 TJ@NutterCustomConstruction.com www.NutterCustomConstruction.com

PH

Pamela Hughes Specializing in luxury residential interiors

HUGHES DESIGN ASSOCIATES Washington 703 442 3200 Sarasota 941 922 4767

www.hughesdes.com

Photography by Giovanni Lunardi

db

DEBORAH BEACHAM, P.A. REALTOR , CRS, GRI, TRC 941.376.2688 www.LuxuryPropertyInSarasota.com R

expect the very best You live life to the fullest, you believe that hard work pays off, and you appreciate integrity, tenacity and dedication.

2

As a leader in the luxury real estate market, I will take care of every detail of your real estate transaction so you can relax and enjoy the lifestyle you’ve earned.

TOP 1%

3,200 FIVE YEAR WINNER SARASOTA REALTORS

2011 FIVE STAR AWARD

TOP 2

MICHAEL SAUNDERS & COMPANY AGENTS

2011

Best In Customer Service SIX YEAR WINNER Best In Customer Service FIVE STAR AWARD

EUROPEAN REAL ESTATE NETWORK

CALL SARASOTA’S LUXURY BUILD AND REMODEL PROFESSIONALS

941.906.7000

SPECIALIZING IN BIRD KEY, LONGBOAT KEY, SIESTA KEY, CASEY KEY & WEST OF TRAIL

SPEC HOMES

NEW BUILD

RENOVATIONS

REAL ESTATE

www.murrayrealty.com

www.murrayhomesinc.com themurrayblog.com

1255 Seeds Ave | Sarasota, FL 34237

“SUPERADVERTASTILICIOUS” soo • per • ad • ver • tays • til • ish • uhs adjective

When your advertising tastes as good as it looks, your customers will keep coming back for more. At Grapevine Communications, our creative team caters to your business with tempting campaigns that help satisfy your customers’ cravings.

If your brand is getting a bit stale, call us today and we’ll serve up some fresh solutions that deliver results.

941.351.0024 ~ www.grapeinc.com

Creativity isn’t just what we do... It’s who we are.

2010 Frank G. Berlin, Sr. “Small Business of the Year” - Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Recipient of Over 80 ADDY ® Awards ~ Since 2003 2010 Top 25 Advertising Agencies SW Florida ~ 7 Years In A Row 2010 Top 500 Gulf Coast Companies ~ 3 Years In A Row 2006 Young Business of the Year ~ Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Scan our TAG left to visit our website. Get the free app for your smartphone: http://gettag.mobi

SM

When quality of life, smart planning and the freedom to pursue passions and new interests are top priorities, Plymouth Harbor is the wise choice. Call us today for a tour of our awardwinning campus, luxury accommodations and amenities.

PLYMOUTH HARBOR – THE PLACE TO PURSUE LIFE’S PASSIONS 700 John Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34236

(941) 365-2600

www.PlymouthHarbor.org A Not-For-Profit Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) OIR #88039

PLYMOUTH HARBOR • BERTAS • HALF PAGE 7.5 x 4.875 • REAL •OCT 2011 GRIGSBY DESIGN • 561-870-3047 • ANNE@GRIGSBYDESIGN.COM

To get the right home, you’ll need the right home loan.

Let me help you find the home loan that’s right for you.

• I will be with you every step of the way, sharing my knowledge and experience.

• Our one-page Clarity Commitment® summary is written in easy-to-understand language that highlights key terms of your loan.

• You can get personalized answers to your questions at the home loan guide on my website.

Contact me today to learn more.

Budd Moore Home Loans Manager NMLS ID: 432212 941.952.2888 budd.moore@bankofamerica.com http://mortgage.bankofamerica.com/williambmoore

The Clarity Commitment® summary is provided as a convenience, does not serve as a substitute for a borrower’s actual loan documents and is not a commitment to lend.

Borrowers should become fully informed by reviewing all of the loan and disclosure documentation provided. Clarity Commitment is not available on all products. Credit and collateral are subject to approval. Terms and conditions apply. This is not a commitment to lend. Programs, rates, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice.

Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. © 2010 Bank of America Corporation. ARL3I4C1 00-62-2221D 04-2011

i n it neeww nh t hee n s s Whole Foods Market “Brush Of Love” For Children

INTEGRITY

Whole Foods Market recently participated in a Habitat TEAM BUILD day. Upon their arrival, the Habitat for Humanity Sarasota home received a “Brush of Love” from the Whole Foods volunteers.

More than twenty artists among the Whole Foods team took things one step further than a Nikki Logan, Whole Foods Market. normal paint job and created murals in the children’s bedrooms. The TEAM BUILD program is a great way to get out of the office and volunteer while sponsoring a day at a Habitat for Humanity Sarasota job site.

For information on your TEAM BUILD day visit www.habitatsrq.org or call (941) 365.0700.

Sarasota Opera Closes On A Strong Note Sarasota Opera closed its fall production of Puccini’s heartrending Madama Butterfly to great acclaim by both critics and audience members. Ticket sales grossed over half a million dollars making Madama Butterfly the best selling show since the inception of the fall opera season in 2008.

Four of the six performances were sold-out and, on average, 10% of the audience at each performance were new patrons to Sarasota Opera. In addition, the opera saw a significant increase in subscriptions and ticket sales reporting over 290 new subscribers to the 2011-2012 Winter Season thus far and a $300,000 increase in sales from this point last year. For information visit www.sarasotaopera.org or call (941) 366.8450.

ACTION

MTO’s Fast Life Receives Stay Of Execution Slated to be painted over due to controversy, French artist MTO’s (from Berlin) Fast Life received a reprieve for the community to reconsider options. Spending just 20 days in Sarasota, his first visit to the U.S., it is important to understand MTO’s viewpoint on his original artwork – the largest piece he has done to date.

“Fast Life is for me an interesting piece. The recent reactions around it make it even more interesting. Cause it’s no gang sign (like this woman Allison thought), it’s not making a “E” (like used in East coast) neither “W” (used in West coast) but simply “M” for “MTO” and fast life is how we lived in Sarasota (Chalk Festival); really fast and compact time. This “fast life” is kind of even more significant “life is short” precisely for the reason that we live fast. That’s why “RUN SRQ” sounded like a good title… to my work in Sarasota, because that’s actually what we’ve done; we’ve run in Sarasota the whole time to paint as much as possible.” MTO

RESULTS!

22

| REAL Magazine | www.the-real-magazine.com

i n it neeww nh t hee n s s Penny Hill Group Joins Insignia Bank Insignia Bank announced that The Penny Hill Group, a market leader in loan production, is now with the bank’s residential lending team. Joining Insignia Bank, The Penny Hill Group gains additional product offerings and can capitalize on the locally owned bank’s efficiency to further improve on the high level of service they offer.

“This change allows us to offer many different flavors of loan products to our customers rather than in the past, since this local bank offers portfolio loans with common sense lending decisions.” stated Penny Hill. Hill may be reached at (941) 366.7100 or phill@insigniabank.com. Photo: Andrea Hillebrand.

SOLD!

Habitat Receives Home From Westwater Construction No it’s not a home you live in, but Westwater Construction built a promotional home for Habitat for Humanity Sarasota. The 1,200 lb. home was unveiled at Whole Foods Market’s 7th anniversary celebration and will move around the Sarasota area as a billboard promoting Habitat’s involvement in our community. It was interesting to note that the Westwater house is so REAL that Whole Food’s patrons thought the home’s front door was an entrance to the store!

Renee Snyder, Habitat for Humanity Sarasota and Mike Estes, Westwater Specialties

Where will the Westwater Habitat home go next? You can find out at www.the-realmagazine.com, www.habitatsrq.org or www.westwaterconstruction.com; “Follow the Habitat Home.”

ISN'T IT TIME...

Mark Grigoli Promoted At John Cannon Homes John Cannon announced that Mark Grigoli was appointed as Director of Sales and Marketing for John Cannon Homes. For the past 10 years, Grigoli has played an integral part of the John Cannon Homes Sales Team.

“Mark has always possessed a relentless commitment to customer service and satisfaction. These traits will certainly carry over into his new role as Director of Sales and Marketing. His attention to detail has served his customers well by creating new homes that meet the client's unique desires, his knowledge of the Design/Build process will certainly be an asset,” said Cannon. Grigoli may be reached at (941) 924.5935 or mgrigoli@johncannonhomes.com.

Kelly Gettel & Co. PLLC Licensed Real Estate Broker 2170 Main Street, Suite 203 Sarasota, FL 34237 (941) 388.8232 www.the-real-magazine.com

| REAL Magazine | 23

info@kellygettelandco.com KELLYGETTELANDCO.COM

per p esr p s pee c c tt i viev s es The Birth of ReStore

By Mark Miller

Approximately ten years ago the concept of ReStore was born. It all started one day as I walked through Westwater’s warehouse.

We had been accumulating building materials for years and our warehouse was reaching its capacity. Some of the materials were salvaged from buildings that we demolished and others were left over materials from new construction projects.

Excess building materials are normally deposited into local landfills once jobs are complete. Instead, we chose to save as many of the materials as we could in hopes of using them in future projects.

But after years of storing these materials, I decided that they could be better utilized by Sarasota’s Habitat for Humanity. We had items ranging from new tiles to barely used appliances. I instructed one of our employees to contact Habitat to make arrangements to deliver the donations. I was later shocked to learn that Habitat had turned us down. We were told that they

would be unable to use our items as they could not build one house with aluminum windows next to another house with premium windows (such as those we were trying to donate).

I was disappointed and became determined to find another solution.

I suggested Habitat sell our donated goods and use the proceeds towards building new homes. After working out the legalities, our concept became a reality. ReStore now has locations in Sarasota on 17th Street and Bee Ridge Road.

With over 42,000 square feet of donated items ReStore carries just about anything you can imagine.

Habitat still receives donations from builders like Westwater, but now they also accept donations from stores, manufacturers and individuals within our community. ReStore is

proud to keep one million pounds of usable products out of our landfills every year by cleaning, recycling and re-selling donated goods. Proceeds generated are then used to build Habitat houses.

Next time you have something nice that you’re getting rid of, please think of making a donation to help our local community by calling ReStore’s donation department at 941-363-0777. And if you’re looking for something new for your house or business, please visit one of the ReStore locations. By shopping at ReStore you support a wonderful charity and help sustain our local environment.

For more information on ReStore, please visit their website at www. restoresrq.org.

Mark Miller has been in the construction industry for over 21 years and founded Westwater Construction, Inc. 19 years ago. He also operates a handful of other construction related entities including Fusion, a LED manufacturing company. Mark can be reached for any construction related questions at mark.miller@ westwaterconstruction.com or any LED lighting questions at mmiller@fusionensol.com.

|

24 REAL Magazine

| www.the-real-magazine.com

Got Stuff?

Gently used household items needed

Mattresses Appliances Sofas Washers & Dryers Chairs End tables Bicycles

ReStore I

2095 17th St.

ReStore II

4408 Bee Ridge Rd.

Drop Off Hours: M-F 9-7 Sat 9-5

www.habitatsrq.org

We sell donated items to help build Habitat homes FREE Pickup for large items Call 363-0777

Steve White

Dreams Become Reality

By Ed Bertha Photography by Giovanni Lunardi

As a child

Steve White had a Plotting the course for Southern Jet, a huge fascination private charter jet service, and feathering with airplanes. “I used to draw them all the the throttle at S/S Motorsports, a renowned time. I liked to sit at the airport and watch builder/restorer of classic American muscle the planes take off and land,” he offers. His cars, now fulfill his dreams. However, most childhood held another attraction, cars. “As dear to Steve’s heart is his car collection, a kid I loved cars. You always have pipe containing some of the rarest, historically dreams; that’s a cool Mustang or a rocking significant, contemporary vehicles found Camaro. Back then you didn’t think about anywhere in the world. It’s time to fasten the super exotics like the Ferraris of the your seatbelt. world.” Ironically, now Steve has them all.

The Learjet 55 team left to right: Chief Pilot Jarod White, Steve, Director of Sales Eric Sanchez and Director of Operations Thomas Hood.

Growing up in Demarest, a small New Jersey town, two individuals significantly influenced Steve’s beliefs and moral compass. “I know it’s cliché but my dad was my role model.

My dad was the primary influence in my life. He was a successful man, but his friend, Mr. Odabash, was wildly successful. From a kid’s perspective he did everything right.

He had a lot of money, but you never knew it. He flew under the radar. I said to myself if there is ever a time in my life I’m fortunate enough to be in a similar position as Mr. Odabash, I would emulate him to a certain degree. I try to live my life according to both of them,” he shares. Unassuming and down to earth one would never know of Steve’s accomplishments, courtesy of his mentors.

Southern Jet Operating a jet isn’t cheap and those wanting charter services typically have amassed a nice lifestyle and choose to fly private for a reason. It is an expensive endeavor. “It is one of those things when you do it once you are hooked.

Especially now with TSA and how the commercial airlines have evolved. It is a luxury and not a necessity, no question about it. For those who choose charter services, it’s a great experience and we try to make it even better,” Steve muses.

Steve indicates that the on demand charter business is growing rapidly and Southern Jet is expanding right along with it, setting new records each month. He attributes the growth to clients still traveling the way they want to travel, at a lower cost than fractional or other means of plane ownership. The bottom line is clients only pay for what they use.

“Business professionals and celebrities alike are very busy.

They need to get where they need to be, transact their business and get back. Beyond that we offer comfort and security. That type of client is a big part of our business,” he states.

Asking what sets Southern Jet apart from the others, Steve immediately replies, “The people that work for Southern Jet. The employees of Southern Jet are extremely conscientious.

The safety and comfort of our passengers is the utmost concern. All of our employees follow that thinking or they don’t work for us.”

Southern Jet stresses safety and I ask Steve to explain their approach. “The FAA does a huge job to regulate what we do, more so than commercial. Unfortunately, as in any industry there are people who don’t follow the rules. There are people who will say that a particular item doesn’t need maintenance now, it can wait. When it involves safety there’s no question, I’d rather lose a flight than chance it. Everyone in the company believes the same thing. Yes, we are in the business to make a profit, but there is no question that safety is paramount. We don’t skimp on anything or cut a corner. All of our planes have real time radar, which even commercial planes don’t have. At all times, our pilots know the flight conditions.”

Routinely flying clients from Sarasota, Steve closes with, “We’d like to make sure Southern Jet is the provider of choice for the people of Sarasota.”

Steve and Eric review the Learjet’s schedule for the week before taking off.

Black on black in an stylish Aston Martin DBS.

The Thrill Of The Hunt Although Steve’s car collection is varied, I sense an intense love for all things Ferrari. I soon learn Ferrari passion stems from the historical significance of the brand and Steve’s experiences in his short time of collecting them.

“Ferrari always had an iconic brand and constantly was a step ahead in engineering compared to cars of similar scope. They are driven to be better, faster and more reliable. Mind you, they just came out with a 7 year, unlimited mile maintenance agreement. When you talk about Ferrari there’s a lot of history and pride in the brand, and I respect that.

“I purchased the Enzo because of its uniqueness. I like the car, I love the car, but there are other cars I like better. Because of the collectability, the uniqueness of the car and finding a color that I didn’t even know existed. That’s why it is here. Jay Leno was the original owner.

“It’s kind of like the thrill of the hunt. You set your goal to find a particular car and then all of a sudden you find one in black and you know there’s not many in that color (399 built, rumored less than a hand full in black). Just like the Shelby, the one I have in maroon. I have a few Shelbys, but I only have one in maroon and that’s because there is only one in maroon. The thrill of the hunt feeds the passion.

“It’s maddening to drive the Enzo in Sarasota because it’s tough to get excited with 611 horsepower going 20 mph between red lights. And then it always draws a crowd. It’s a showstopper. So it’s a challenge driving around town, especially in season.

“I have the F40, again, for what it stands for. The F40 was the last car that Enzo Ferrari shared in the design and build before he passed away. To me that’s historically significant. It also is regarded as the world’s first super car. They made roughly 3,300 F40s over a two year period. I looked for 2 ½ years to find that example. It’s not a particularly comfortable car, but it’s a blast to drive. It’s raw power, loud, basically a race car with street clothing on. A lot of fun.”

Rolling up his left sleeve Steve shares the Ferrari crest tattooed on his upper arm. All things Ferrari.

With a push of the start button the 12 cylinder Enzo emits a ferocious, deafening bark, it is unmistakably Ferrari, and all business.

|

www.the-real-magazine.com REAL Magazine

| 31

S/S Motorsports Like many, Steve and his wife Kris relocated to Sarasota for a change of scenery and to get away from colder weather up north. Once in Sarasota he commissioned a custom car with a fabricator that had restarted their business after a number of idle years. Little did he know at the time it would lead to the creation of S/S Motorsports.

The process of building the car was absolutely a horrible experience for Steve. The car was not done properly from start to finish and to top it off, was very expensive. “What it did is lead me to my current partner, Steve Keech, who was their engine builder at the time (He had nothing to do with building the car). Steve (Keech) is light years ahead of anybody else out there. We met, discussed what we both did best and S/S Motorsports was born,” he recalls.

“I like the Challenge Mustang because it’s raw American muscle power and I can beat up on a lot of imports. I like to show my American pride.”

“We know the other builders. They have their own niches.

Personally, I don’t think anybody else does it as quite as well as we do. We’re not the cheapest builder, but we are the best. You will get the highest quality finished product through us,” Steve says matter-of-factly.

Quality is evident as Steve talks about using solid $20,000 donor cars, not thin-walled reproduction bodies or rust buckets, spending $800 a gallon on premium paint when others are using $100 a gallon paint and hand building the motors while competitors are using assembly line built crate motors. “The average builder looks at it as saving money. I’d rather quote the client a more realistic price and use the best materials and components available on their car,” he adds.

The Ferrari crest, worn with pride.

Surprisingly I learn that all S/S Motorsports vehicle run on pump gas, even the monster 1,200 hp dual turbo 1969 Corvette parked around the corner. Smiling, he informs me that the Vette’s horsepower could easily rise to 1,700 or more and still run on pump gas. Steve shares “Our cars are very drivable. They are bespoke like a Rolls Royce or a Bentley. Down to the smallest detail, the client has the opportunity to choose. Whether it’s ostrich skin, alligator hide or leather, the choices are endless.”

When you talk about S/S Motorsports you quickly learn that both partners view it as a service business, not a car business. “It’s a living breathing thing as we go. We encourage the client to be a big part of the build because we are just assembling the car on their specifications. As much as it is a car building business, it’s a service business.”

Horsepower usually leads one to a racetrack. With American muscle that normally translates to the drag strip. S/S Motorsports not only builds a drivable car, the cars perform.

I ask if S/S guarantees low 11 second passes at the strip.

Without hesitation Steve launches, “I would even say they crack the 10’s. We had my partner’s 4,200 lb car with one of our baby motors run a 10.30 (seconds, 143.95 mph). If that car ran 10:30, a Camaro that’s 500 lbs less would knock off ½ second. All on pump gas.”

One can only wonder what will roll out the doors of S/S Motorsports next.

Looking over the top of a racing Carrera GT2 RS at S/S Motorsports’ 1,200 hp 69 Corvette and Steve’s F40 previously mentioned. $269,000 and the Corvette parks in your garage.

Southern Jet

6301 Porter Rd Suite 5 Sarasota, FL 34240 (954) 495.7101 (800) 228.9388 eric@southernjet.com www.southernjet.com

S/S Motorsports 5705 Jason Lee Road Sarasota, FL 34233 (941) 921.7223 info@carsbyss.com www.carsbyss.com

Steve after competitive hot laps in his Carrera GT. “It’s an adrenaline rush.”

Kids www.lunardi.com

941-359-9155

The world of real estate is at your fingertips.

No REALTOR has you covered better!

R

sarasotahomes4sale.com sarasotafloridarealestate.co.uk luxuryrealty.com luxuryhomes.com sarasotasouthernbelle.com floorplanssarasota.com whitakerslane.com realtor.com

Debra Pitell –Hauge Broker/REALTOR , CRS, SRES , GRI, e-PRO R

R

R

A DYNAMIC REALTOR IN LUXURY REAL ESTATE 941-356-0437 dpestates@aol.com R

1801 Main Street, Sarasota, FL 34236

BEST IN CLIENT SATISFACTION

F LORIDA REALTOR F

IRST

Salesperson Sites P

LA C

E

2008 2011

ADDY

R

THE ULTIMATE CHALLENGE

“Highest Benchmark Sale Award” recipient with sales of $13 million and $13.2 million 2005 1st place Agent Website in Florida as named by Florida Association of REALTORS

R

2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 & 2011 FIVE-STAR: Best in Client Satisfaction Real Estate Award SM

Exclusive Sarasota and Longboat Key affiliate for LuxuryRealty.com 29 years of experience selling Sarasota real estate

Click, Click; Fashionably Styled In Tampa

By Ed Bertha

Lights, camera, action! Recently, this

charming home was the site of a major photo shoot for Tampa Style Magazine's upcoming issue, featuring the creations of Miami-based fashion designer Francisco Azucar.

The son of Cuban immigrants, Azucar’s designs have a distinctive Latin influence. Models, fashion and shoes; what a fun day!

In Tampa location is everything – Rarely available in Ballast Point, a prestigious and serene Tampa suburban neighborhood, this spectacular newly constructed (2011), never occupied, private estate home defines luxury living at its finest! This magnificent 3,961 sq. ft. 4 Bedroom, 3 Bath, executive residence offers a fabulous setting for entertaining guests.

The home’s open floor plan creates a spacious setting for dinner parties or intimate gatherings that can extend outward onto the large covered lanai.

The home showcases exceptional craftsmanship with its elegant wood and wrought iron staircase, vaulted ceilings and Mediterranean exterior details. Accompanied by stunning finishes such as crown molding, marble and wood flooring throughout, the home’s gourmet kitchen is sure to please a discerning chef with its flowing granite counter tops, regal cherry cabinets and Gallery Line appliances. The master suite and 2 guest bedrooms on the upper level lead to a large covered porch; the lower level has a family, living and dining room, study, kitchen and adjoining breakfast area, with French doors opening to the secluded patio area.

Stepping outside you find a private retreat, lushly landscaped, leading to the two car detached garage, containing plenty of room for storage. Take the short walk to Ballast Point Park, one of the city's most popular urban escapes, and enjoy breathtaking views of Hillsborough Bay and the Tampa skyline.

Minutes away from schools, shopping, dining, West Shore Boulevard and downtown Tampa, you can enjoy the lifestyle that goes along with this luxurious private residence!

For behind the scene photos, visit the-real-magazine.com

|

36 REAL Magazine

| www.the-real-magazine.com

Photo courtesy of Jonathan R Photography | Designer: Francisco Azucar | Models: voX Models | Make-up: Fifi Rodriguez | Hair: Monique Payne

Estate home represented by Kelly Gettel Kelly Gettel & Co. PLLC Licensed Real Estate Broker 6012 South Russell Street, Tampa, FL 33611 (941) 388.8232 My Florida Regional MLS M5825492 www.kellygettelandco.com $995 Thousand

REAL REAL

b b eea a u tu y ty

Sparkle Your Hair

By Sheila Venancia

Sheila Venancia International Hair Stylist Introduces Fiber Optic Hair Lights to Sarasota Fiber optic hair lights! The ideal hair accessory for any night time event!

Stand out from the crowd at your next night time social event by wearing fiber optic hair extensions. These dazzling lights sparkle like stars in your hair, and are for prom, concerts, holiday parties, dances, sweet 16’s, nightclubs and just about any nighttime event!

Glowbys are versatile, fun, unique and can be incorporated into any hairstyle or updo.

small magnets, Crystal Tresses are easily attachable and removable - wear them anytime, anywhere. A unique hair jewelry accessory.

Enjoy the fun and flirty look of hair accessories. Hair clips draw the eye to a woman's crowning glory. The right hair accessories can dress up a hairstyle and make it suitable for formal or dressy occasions. Gorgeous hair clips and the popular sparkle bobby pins are in our Hair Accessories Collection.

Now you can go one hundred percent glamorous with hair accessories.

Until next month!

How do they work? Glowbys fiber optic hair lights consist of a small barrette which houses two small watch batteries and a light source. The source lights up a bundle of approximately 60 flexible fiber optic strands which extend out of the barrette.

Just attach the Glowbys barrette clip to the hair. The barrette can be hidden under a layer of hair so that only the lights are visible, or worn on top of the hair like a normal barrette. You can do almost anything with the fibers that you do with hair, including looping, bending and cutting.

Make your hair sparkle with elegant, invisible strands of genuine Swarovski crystals! Held firmly in the hair by two

|

38 REAL Magazine

| www.the-real-magazine.com

IF YOU CAN’T SAY “I LOVE MY HAIR”… YOU NEED A NEW HAIR STYLIST Sheila Venancia, International Hair Stylist and Image Consultant (941) 822.2152 at Jflo Salon, Spa & Boutique (941) 955.6170 1476 Main Street, Sarasota, FL 34236 Here you can find fiber optic hair lights, crystals, feathers, hats and all hair accessories.

Interview With Steve Kempton Division President, West Coast of Florida, Taylor Morrison

By Ed Bertha

Esplanade At Lakewood Ranch Located on 207 acres just north of State Road 70, off Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, Esplanade is a gated community planned for 450 maintenance free villas and single family homes. What sets Esplanade apart is that it is the only lifestyle community in Lakewood Ranch which distinguishes it from all the others.

EB: Why Lakewood Ranch for an active lifestyle community?

SK: Lakewood Ranch has continued to outperform the market becoming one of the top twenty best selling master planned communities in the U.S. last year. To have the opportunity to build in a community with a live, work, play, lifestyle is something that doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t come along often. We believe it is a wonderful opportunity to serve the people living here twenty years who want to downsize, but stay in the Ranch. It is also an excellent draw for those retirees who are looking for a full social calendar. For those moving from within the Ranch, Esplanade offers all the accustomed amenities while residents can maintain their social network.

EB: Explain the active lifestyle component of Esplanade.

SK: With Esplanade, we are filling a buyer need by offering the active lifestyle component not found in any of the other communities. Our approach to lifestyle is to extend what Lakewood Ranch already created and introduce new lifestyle activities. We have developed and designed Esplanade to be something special and our members can join the other residents and coexist. Some of their existing clubs and organizations will come and meet on our property in the clubhouse which will open in mid 2012 and visa versa. So itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not completely independent by any stretch of the imagination.

|

40 REAL Magazine

| www.the-real-magazine.com

We have a saying that a community that plays together stays together. Esplanade offers an opportunity for residents to join clubs and participate in different activities that are all right there, almost from the front porch. Residents can walk to the amenity center or just drive a golf cart. We want to make it easy for the residents to get out there and meet the neighbors have fun and get involved in the community. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why we have a full time Lifestyle Director on site.

EB: What is the role of the Lifestyle Director?

SK: We have partnered with WTS International. They are a national renowned lifestyle management company. WTS will help manage and host the structure of all activities from pickleball, to bingo night, the cooking club, special themed evenings such as Hawaiian Night and all of this will be possible through the planning by the onsite Lifestyle Director.

The idea of a Lifestyle Director is to make it easy to get involved and to encourage participation. The goal of the Lifestyle Director is to try and make that early integration fun, quick and seamless.

The residents will feel like they have a concierge to meet people and make introductions to those with like interests. The Lifestyle Director will coordinate the activities, manage the dates and also try to implement the home owners requests for new activities. With Lakewood Ranch already having a full calendar of events on Main Street and throughout the community residents will soon appreciate the Lifestyle Directors ability to assist with coordination of on-site and off-site activities, including clubs.

EB: Amenities are a big part of Esplanade. Can you elaborate on them?

SK: Esplanade will feature top notch and highly popular amenities which will be totally integrated with Lakewood Ranch. In building the list we have made sure to optimize and compliment the existing amenities within Lakewood Ranch. The focus has been on including a selection of amenities specific for Esplanade residents. From the

with a launch for canoeing or outdoor water aerobics. Located close by is a cozy fire pit for socializing or lingering after a late sunset. Head down to the lake for a stroll along a hidden walkway which provides privacy from the road.

The walkway circles the site and is a surreal interaction with nature as homeowners enjoy a leisurely walk.

Additional outdoor activities include an outdoor kitchen, pickleball courts, bocce ball, an oversized pet park, fitness lawn and a tot lot for kids visiting the community. Last is a formal green lawn for movies on the lawn, formal events or a picnic.

The clubhouse has an aerobics center with full equipment, a gym with free weights, TVs and everything expected in a top notch fitness facility. The grand ballroom will be a showcase room for hosting dances, poker night, formal and black tie events of all types. The billiards room will be smaller, more intimate and quaint like the library. The craft room will accommodate artists at every level interested in showcasing their talent and enjoying time with residents of similar interest.

For those wanting to golf or play tennis an exclusive preferred membership plan for Esplanade residents is available with the golf course and tennis facility. Esplanade has been planned with the most popular amenities.

SUNSET POINT

EB: What is your development time table?

CANOE LAUNCH

RESORT STYLE POOL

BBQ & FIREPIT

POOLSIDE GRILLE & TABLES

ADVENTURE ISLE

DEL

FITNESS LAWN DOG PARK

OP O LO

CORS

EVENT LAWN

ESPLANADE BOULEVARD

minute someone drives up the circular drive through the gated entrance, your eye is drawn to the parks and walks leading to the clubhouse’s grand entrance, residents are encouraged to immediately enter the grand foyer greeting center of the Esplanade clubhouse. Visitors and residents will be able to quickly meet existing members and be able to preview a full social calendar. Part of the active lifestyle is not just all of the activities; it’s also the ability to have a cup of coffee or a glass of wine with neighbors, guests and friends and get to meet new people from all over.

The clubhouse is organized to offer optimum views overlooking a beautiful lake. Just beyond the back covered lanai is the resort style pool, with the ability to swim laps and use the resistance pool. Look further to the lake for a view of the pier and a beach area

SK: Construction began in late August and we are on schedule to feature our grand opening of models the weekend of January 21 – 22. The infrastructure with paving and landscaping for phase one is nearing completion. Approximately 140 lots are in the pre-home construction process. The five models, including a sales center will be available for preview in January as part of our grand opening. We plan to break ground on the amenity center (clubhouse) in January and it will open in the summer. The gates, guard house, hardscape and landscaping will be complete in early winter. Our goal is to be open mid to late January so we’ll be ready for seasonal buyers looking to purchase their Florida home and take advantage of everything our great state and the beautiful weather has to offer.

Esplanade Sales Center 5235 Esplanade Boulevard Bradenton, FL 34211 (941) 799.5496 www.taylormorrison.com

per p esr p s pee c c tt i viev s es What Will The New Year Bring?

By Patricia Tan

In the last few weeks of 2011, I attended an international convention in California, and attended a series of presentations here in Florida. At these events, I heard several well respected economists give their predictions as to what might happen in our real estate market in 2012. I thought it might be useful to share some of their opinions combined with my own observations as a practitioner in today’s global real estate market.

Predicting the future is never easy. My approach is to combine a look through the rear view mirror with a long hard gaze into the crystal ball and balance what I see there with a common sense approach and real life experiences.

up demand for homes. While we may not see a major impact from this latent demand in 2012, it does bode well for property appreciation in the years following. During 2011, in our local market, available inventory has decreased to pre-downturn “normal” levels in many price categories. We hear a lot of talk about “shadow inventory” and its potential impact on the market. Lenders are aware that dumping a huge number of foreclosures on the market at the same time will certainly impact the price they achieve for each property, and so far they have not been flooding the market.

The accompanying chart shows inventory levels across the State of Florida. 4 to 6 months supply is deemed to be a “normal” market. The downward trend in available inventory continues to tighten the market and strengthen prices.

So what might we see in our real estate market in 2012? I’ve listed here some key considerations and factors which may work for, or against, a healthy real estate market. As always, the Properties nature of real estate is local, so while I have certainly considered Florida Total Market national and statewide statistics, $1 Million and Up my focus is on South West $250,000 to $999,999 Florida and the Sarasota area in $0 to $249,999 particular.

Bank Owned

Months of Inventory 7.4 21.7 12.4 5.4 1.2

Inventory Trend Down Down Down Down Approx. 6% of Inventory and 40% of Sales Approx. 31% of Inventory and 18% of Sales

Supply and demand We all Short Sales 5.6 know that new construction has slowed to a crawl, even though

we have seen it increase locally Price stabilization The Case Shiller Home during the second half of 2011, new home Price Index shows that prices have been starts nationally are at their lowest level since stable in 20 main metro markets since 2009. the Second World War. Homes today are Here locally, we certainly see evidence of selling at the same rate as they were in 1997, price stabilization more recently. Some but over the same period our population neighborhoods and price ranges have started has increased by 40 million people. History to see modest price increases as inventory tells us that for every 3 million increase in reduces. In December, MSNBC’s Barbara our population, the number of households Corcoran named Sarasota as the number one increases by 1 million. This has not been place to buy in the nation. Why? Our prices happening over recent years as harsh had dropped the most over the previous year economic realities have forced the creation (down by a third), but shown an increase of of more extended families – adult children 13% in the last quarter. As a practicing realtor I moving back with their parents, parents losing see illustrations of this every day as I present a home and moving in with their children, homes to prospective purchasers and we households taking in roommates to make examine values and trends in the area they ends meet. These factors all point to pent wish to buy.

Affordability The affordability index looks at property prices as they relate to salaries.

The index is at the highest level for 40 years, as a result of falling prices. So consumers can afford to buy homes, but they are being held by back not only by lack of mortgage financing, but also by their own newly conservative approach to spending and debt.

Will the banks lend? Your guess is as good as mine! Financial industry corporate profits are high, having recovered well from the lows of 2008 but uncertainty about future losses and the impact of new regulations are keeping financial institution share prices low.

The banks do have money to lend but appear reluctant to do so. A few years ago, a credit score of 720 was considered good enough for most lenders. Today 760 has become the new normal as lenders take very conservative approaches to appraisals and underwriting loans. This is certainly holding back recovery as the market is not seeing the full impact of mortgage rates at historically low levels.

Role of the overseas buyer Last year was a bumper year for foreign investment in our real estate market. Despite economic challenges around the globe, there is a growing awareness that now is the time to buy U.S. property, and there is a lot of cash available to do so. We continue to see strong demand from both private and institutional investors. In 2012 I believe we may see declining demand from some hard hit western European countries such as U.K. Germany and France, but we will see more than compensating demand from other countries including Canada, Brazil, India and China.

As I look forward to the new year, I feel quietly optimistic about the future of our real estate market, but only time will tell how I will feel looking back on 2012 through that rear view mirror

Patricia Tan was born in England, and her career in international sales and marketing led her to live and work in many countries around the world before moving to Sarasota in 1997. Patricia is a Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS), Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI), and Transnational Referral Certified (TRC). She is involved in global activities of the Sarasota, Florida and National Association of Realtors, and currently serves as NAR President’s Liaison to U.K. Her real estate business operates from Coldwell Banker on St Armands Key, where her focus is to bring international buyers to the local market. She regularly makes marketing trips to Canada, Asia and Europe, to promote Florida’s Gulf Coast and the Sarasota area in particular.

|

42 REAL Magazine

| www.the-real-magazine.com

2012 3rd Annual 10K Run/Walk & Fun Run Support our children because one day they will run the world All proceeds benefit Take Stock in Children Scholarship and Mentor Program

Sponsorships Available Particpant Enrollment Is Open Date: February 26, 2012 | Location: Main Street, Lakewood Ranch | Time: 7:30 am Phone: 941-713-8935 | Email: lynchb@manateeschools.net | www.takestock10k.com | www.takestockmanatee.com

A REAL

cares Event

5TH ANNUAL SARASOTA

BENEFITING THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB FASHION SHOW & DAYBED PARADE BY ANA MOLINARI • BRAZILIAN SAMA PARADE • LIVE MUSIC BY JONATHAN CORTEZ AND SHERI AND THE “soulROASTER” • CASH BARS • FOOD PROVIDED BY TREVISO “THE FINE RESTAURANT AT SARASOTA’S RINGLING MUSEUM” • SPECIAL PYROTECHNIC DISPLAY

SATURDAY MARCH 10th, 2012 6 - 11 p.m.

PALM AVENUE TRANSFORMS INTO A MAGNIFICENT OUTDOOR LOUNGE

TICKETS STARTING AT $20 *MUST BE 21 YEARS OR OLDER TO ATTEND

TO PURCHASE TICKETS VISIT

WWW.CHILLOUNGENIGHT.COM

per p esr p s pee c c tt i viev s es How And When To Engage a Contractor

By William Henry PhD History of ‘At Risk Construction Management’ aka ‘CM at Risk’ in the State of Florida

next large project which was a major expansion of the Shands Teaching Hospital on the University of Florida Campus. How the selection was made In the late 1970's a major public project went is detailed in a white paper that is posted on our so poorly for the State University System that company web site www.rga-design.com. The result the two agencies responsible for major project of this project, along with many others, expose the administration for the State of Florida determined flaws of this delivery system which turn out to be at that they would try a new project delivery system for the first time. The project that caused both least as great as those associated with the traditional the State of Florida Department of Management lump sum bid approach that officials mostly Services and the Board of Regents to consider a new abandoned in favor of the CM approach. However approach was the University of South Florida 'Sun- the problems are different and not as noticeable by Dome' project with its inflatable fabric covering over governing officials and the public at large. These a basketball court at the USF campus. The fabric problems are as follows; dome propped into position by giant blowers was Downsides of ‘CM at Risk’ advertised by the designers to produce a cost savings 1) The Contractor/ CM have often created more advantage over more traditional steel construction contingency then necessary thus eliminating any approaches like for instance that found at Tropicana 'risk' to them and increasing the price.

Field baseball stadium. However when the design was 'bid out' amongst several contractors the cost 2) With no competition the Contractor/CM savings was less than was expected. Further, during often only selects the largest most costly subconstruction, the unexpected cost over runs known contractors to complete the Work further as additive change orders began to pile up. USF's mitigating risk to them but again increasing cost capital improvement division refused to pay some to the Owner. of these blaming the contractor. The contractor 3) Some Contractor CM's bury profit in what is in turn refused to pay some of its sub- contractors known as the general conditions of the Work and mechanics liens and/or claims against the often overcharging for onsite supervision and contractor were filed. charging home office expense to the cost of the After this unhappy episode the State began to Work. entertain the idea of a different approach to 4) By delaying providing a guaranteed maximum project delivery. State officials lacked confidence price 'GMP' until the architect's drawings are in the design community to predict the final almost complete the risk factors are almost costs of complex new projects. Rather than await eliminated and the price to the Owner again the results of a public bid to arrive at a cost and increases due to lack of competition. If the GMP schedule the State determined that it would 'hire' is delayed why not pay the CM for his estimating a so called 'construction manager' to control the and scheduling Services and bid the project designer's creative but costly design impulses, and with other contractors in lieu of a sole source to keep the project on schedule. But rather than approach? hire a 'professional manager' or consultant to help the designer with estimating and scheduling the 5) Finally the CM/Contractor is often incentive-ized to challenge the architects’ drawings to create State listened to a growing contingency of larger contractors to let them fulfill this role. Rather they additive change orders which again increase the reasoned than let so called 'irresponsible designers' price. This process pits the Architect against the and their professional consultants continue to CM/Contractor placing the client/owner in the perpetuate these unpredictable consequences it uncomfortable position of having to arbitrate. would be best to have the ultimate contractor This becomes a lose/ lose proposition. aboard to guarantee the costs early on to eliminate Though state agency employees have embraced surprises. At this point 'construction management ‘CM at risk’ because it removes much accountability at risk' gained traction in the State. This movement from their sphere, the taxpayers foot the bill for was initially opposed by most smaller general their comfort and protection. There is a superior contractors who rightly viewed ‘CM at risk’ as a approach to letting construction Work. That threat to their way of doing business. They foresaw process is as follows; the larger contractors gaining most of the CM opportunities and their share of Work limited to the Alternative Approaches to ‘CM at Risk’ – smaller bid Work that was let the old fashioned way Designer led Design-Build -by the result of the lowest responsible bid.

Having been involved in the ‘CM at risk’ project The State decided to pursue Construction delivery system since its inception in State Management utilizing a general contractor on its governmental Work as the contract manager for

the Shands project case history described above, I will offer some refinements that will address some of the inherent flaws noted therein. I will term this revised approach as 'Designer Led Design-Build'.

The following traits describe how this approach differs fundamentally from the Contractor led ‘CM at risk’ approach; 1. Smaller Projects If the project is smaller, say less than $1 to $3 million in value, then it is most cost effective to hire a criteria design architect to set forth the preliminary project program (list of project objectives and spatial requirements) then prepare a very preliminary design. This will identify and describe in detail the scope of Work. Armed with this information the project Owner/ Client can solicit competitive proposals to design/ build teams to both complete the design construction documents and to build the project for a firm fixed price. The proposals can be evaluated BOTH for design thoroughness and quality as well as the cost to construct and time frame to complete the Work. The advantage is that the owner is not placed between the architect/ designer and builder but can look to one entity (the design/ builder) for accountability both in terms of quality and cost.

2. Larger, More Complex Projects If the project is larger and/or more complex, then the process begins the same but the initial design team remains longer to better define the project.

The designer/ architect is joined at the beginning of the process by a cost/ scheduling consultant.

This consultant helps the designer estimate costs, predict a schedule, and identify likely subcontractors to perform the Work. During this process these specialized contracting entities may offer suggestions for saving time and money.

After the construction drawings are approximately 80% complete the owner and architect can solicit proposals from general contractors to help complete the construction documents and construct the project. Rather than submit a bid based on the incomplete drawings the Contractors offer only a price to conduct the field Work aka the 'general conditions' and a fixed fee for overhead and profit.

All subcontractors are identified by BOTH the owner/ architect AND the contractor and their costs are known to the Owner early on-prior to the start of construction. This places the entire team on the same side of the negotiating table and ensures competitive pricing throughout.

In sum, both approaches eliminate the 'sole source aspect' of the ‘CM at risk’ approach now in favor with government bureaucracies. Prior to hiring a contractor, it makes sense to consider several options prior to falling for convincing sales lines from various contractors.

Reliable Group, LLC Architects AA# 0003523 is a well-known architectural and construction management firm based in Tampa, Florida. RGA is headed by Dr. William Henry, both an architect and certified expert witness who issues opinions and testimony concerning design and construction related matters. Having designed over 250 landmark buildings in the state of Florida, he has represented and testified for both plaintiffs and defendants in cases involving code violations such as associated with design and construction defects as well as American Disabilities Act – A‘ DA’ violations. William Henry, PhD (Bill) may be reached at (813) 226.2220 or bhenry@rga-design.com.

|

44 REAL Magazine

| www.the-real-magazine.com

Inndesign Inc Quarter Ad:Layout 1

8/15/11

11:44 AM

Exquisite Custom Cabinetry Designed For Any Room Our designers are experienced in every facet of space planning.

We bring art and technology to life in our computer generated designs.

Kitchen • Bath Breakfast Nook • Study Outdoor Kitchen Entertainment Center Buffet • Wet or Dry Bar Laundry Room • Closet Garage • Islands Library • Den Commercial or Home Office • Playroom

2074 Constitution Blvd. • Sarasota, Florida 34231 Phone: 941-921-6709 • www.inndesigninc.com

S A R A S OTA

P O LO

C LU B

2012 SEASON BUY TICKETS AT THE GATE Public Always Welcome Every Sunday at 1:00 pm December 18 – April 8 Gates Open at 10:00 am Admission: $10 each Under 12 Free

941.907.0000

sarasotapolo.com Take University Parkway 3.5 miles east of I-75 and turn right on Lorraine Road.

Club will be closed December 25, 2011.

Learn to Play Polo 2 0 1 2 S A R A S O TA P O L O S P O N S O R S

No play or riding experience needed!

Custom lesson and ticket gift packages available.

Call 941.907.0000 today!

Page 1

i n v iintva i tt a tii o o nno no l yn ly

Team Tony:

Survival is Just the Beginning

By Lalaena Gonzalez-Figueroa

He was only 33 years old when Tony McEachern embarked upon a journey of a lifetime: the journey for his life. Diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer, his outlook, according to doctors, was bleak.

Like so many who have faced cancer, he was overwhelmed with emotions, concerns and questions. And though thousands of individuals are diagnosed each year, he, like so many others, felt alone.

The battle was arduous, but Tony was a fighter.

With him were friends and family members as well as a team of amazing medical professionals at Duke University’s Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Cancer Center. He survived, emerging on the other side of cancer with a mission: to use his experience to help others. “Time and again, I saw people fighting cancer so hard and trying not to die, that they’ve forgotten to live,” reflects Tony. “No matter what you’re going through, you can still live each day.” He put that theory into motion, launching an 800+ mile walk from Duke

Tony McEachern & Lori Mishos at the Cycle of Life fundraiser

|

46 REAL Magazine

to Sarasota to raise awareness for brain cancer.

He raised funds as well, garnering nearly $25,000 which he donated to Duke. “I feel that I’m here because of Duke,” asserts Tony. “I wanted to give back to them as much as I could.”

Tony discovered another opportunity to give back, through dialogues with individuals he met throughout the course of his 43-day trek. “Every day, people came up to me and telling me how touched they were.” Every day there were stories, too. Stories of survivors and of those who had lost their battles. And with each passing day, Tony realized that he had something amazing to share: his experiences. Because despite the support and love that he had been so fortunate to have during his own fight with cancer, Tony had all too often felt alone.

In 2010, with the support of longtime friend and fellow cancer survivor Lori Mishos, he launched Team Tony, an organization dedicated to cultivating partnerships between those battling cancer and those who have survived the experience.

It’s a unique concept, and one that is desperately needed. Explains Lori, “You learn so much from

Monique Pawless a thyroid cancer survivor and family

| www.the-real-magazine.com

Participants from the 2 day Cycle of Life, a team tony fundraiser

cancer. You learn that life is precious, and that you should embrace every day and every moment you’re alive.” Cancer, she adds, is a catalyst for change in which individuals reexamine their priorities. “There is a light at the end of the tunnel,” remarks Lori. “You’re the same person you were before the diagnosis; Team Tony is here to help.”

They aren’t counselors and they don’t offer medical advice; Team Tony members are simply friends sharing experiences, lending an ear and answering the questions that truly matter to cancer patients. “Only someone who has been there can tell you what chemo is like,” notes Tony. “Our volunteers are proud to offer outreach to those in need, to share their stories and help others on their journeys.”

Adds Lori, “Nothing in life is done alone, and treating cancer is no exception. It takes a team of dedicated, compassionate people working toward the same goal, and Team Tony volunteers are honored to be a part of the process.”

Team Tony volunteer survivors are paired with individuals battling similar cancers. They offer comprehensive support to patients and their loved ones, and continue to help raise funds for cancer research.

Team Tony is also proud to partner with a range of cancer organizations. Explains Tony, “There is never enough support for those who are battling cancer.” On the horizon is a guidebook for those facing cancer, as well as fitness and nutrition programs designed with patients’ needs in mind.

They’ve experienced firsthand the darkness of cancer, but Tony, Lori and the volunteer survivors of Team Tony are focused on the light at the end of the tunnel. Their referral network is growing readily, providing positivity and hope to those who need it most.

Team Tony volunteers are available to those in need.

Individuals battling cancer, their family members and loved ones are encouraged to reach out. A helping hand is waiting, ready to offer support, companionship and solidarity in the good fight.

Team Tony Foundation

1-on-1 Cancer Support www.teamtony.org P.O. Box 5827 Sarasota, FL 34277

Tony McEachen (941) 320.3366 | tony@teamtony.org Lori Mishos (941) 809.5259 | lori@teamtony.org

Walk of Life , 800 mile walk from Duke University to Sarasota

Sabrina Voelpel Lewandowski & Tony McEachern Cancer Suvivor

FOR WHAT IT’S WORTH MARY L. PATTERSON, SRA

Sarasota’s GentEssential BarberSpa SM

Cert Res RD2516

Appraising Residential Properties For: Estate and Divorce Settlement Lending Institutions Property Disputes | Guardianships Tax Disputes | Investors | Realtors

PATTERSON APPRAISAL GROUP, INC

Qualified Expert Witness 941-750-6600 www.ValuationFlorida.com

Serving Southwest Florida Since 1992

JustGents...Just for Him R

www.Just-Gents.com

126 North Orange Avenue – Downtown Sarasota

941.330.9100

2011-2012 Charity Events www.ValuationFlorida.com Mary@ValuationFlorida.com

at Sarasota Architectural Salvage

RETRACTABLE SCREEN SYSTEMS

“Special Events with awesome guests to benefit worthy organizations in SAS’s Inspiring Setting” October 13th, Ringling College of Art + Design November 10th, Mothers Helping Mothers December 8th, Child Protection Center January 26th, Healthy Start February 22nd, Habitat for Humanity Sarasota March 15th, Mote Marine

Dreamscreens Overhead Motorized Screens from 3’-25’ can create additional rooms with full ventilation, shade from the sun, protection from the pests and enhanced privacy, all at the touch of a button.

A superior solution for ALL

of your screen door applications:

Tickets available at www.sarasotasalvage.com REAL cares supports

Sarasota Architectural Salvage’s philanthropic efforts

Single & French Doors, Sliding Glass Doors, Garden, Terrace, Inswing or Outswing doors. moreinfo@dreamscreens.com

(888) 757- 0929

Proudly Manufactured in Sarasota, FL

www.dreamscreens.com

When looking for sensational service

Reach for the Starr

your professional in real estate closings!

 Evening Closings Available  Closings at your location of choice  Residential  Commercial

 FHA/VA  Short Sales  Foreclosures  Manufactured & Mobile Homes  Reverse Mortgages  1031 Exchanges

The 14th Annual



SARASOTA FILM FESTIVAL APRIL

Carrie Starr Rummery

13-22, 2012

Tickets on sale March 23!

President

941-365-STARR(7827) Carrie@StarrTitle.net

(941)366-6200

www.StarrTitle.net

100 Wallace Avenue, Suite 250 Sarasota, FL 34237

SarasotaFilmFestival.com

Mirta Matheu Klauber REALTOR®, GRI

Matching People with Properties and Lifestyles

Lunardi Photography

530 S. Orange Avenue Sarasota, Florida 912 . 660 . 1354 DS-LA.com LA 6667044

941.704.6749 MirtaKlauber@MichaelSaunders.com www.SarasotaPropertiesUnlimited.com

per p esr p s pee c c tt i viev s es Putting Is About Speed

By Chad Jones The easiest way to take strokes off your game is to focus on improving the speed of your putts. Putting is part art and part science. By developing better feel, you can take 3-5 strokes off your score per round. First, you need to understand that putting is all about speed and direction, but mainly speed.

The correct speed on any putt is to be able to consistently roll your ball ten to twelve inches past the hole. I have never seen a ball go in the hole that came up short of the cup.

The best way that I have found for my students to develop more constant speed in their putting is the following drill. You will need three golf balls and

four tees. Select an area on the practice putting green that allows you to putt ten, fifteen, and twenty feet from a hole.

Place a tee at those three distances and the last tee twelve inches behind the hole. The goal of this drill is to make or have the ball go past the hole, but not greater than twelve inches. Start at ten feet and work your way to fifteen and then twenty feet. The rule is all three balls must go in the cup or pass the cup and stay within the twelve inches of the cup to pass to the next distance.

Once you master this drill you will find your scores improve and your handicap will be lower in the future.

Chad Jones teaches at The Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, Florida.

He is a PGA of America Certified Instructor, Certifed Titleist Club Fitter, and has certifications in junior golf and golf fitness from the Titleist Performance Institute. He was named a 2009 and 2010 US Kids Top 50 Coach. Chad can be reached at cjones@concessiongolfclub.com for lessons.

REAL, HEELS and WHEELS FUSING FASHION AND TECHNOLOGY THE ULTIMATE LADIES NIGHT OUT

ENJOY AN EVENING OF THE LATEST FASHION PAIRED WITH EXOTIC AUTOMOBILES, ENTERTAINMENT, HORS Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;OEURVES, COCKTAILS, PRIZES and a BEST SHOE OF THE NIGHT CONTEST

MARCH 15, 2012, 6-9PM WHO HAS THE SEXIEST SHOES IN TOWN? IT COULD BE YOU! TICKETS $75pp LIMITED VIP SEATING $125pp SPONSORSHIPS $500/$1,000

a REAL cares event benefiting

Information 941.923.1700 ext 2075 | Tickets Available at www.habitatsrq.org or Suncoast Porsche, 5005 South Tamiami Trail

Entice your imagination.

www.WestwaterConstruction.com Sales 941.962.7515 | Main Office 941.366.9936 CG C062281

PRST STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID MANASOTA, FL PERMIT #1450