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Christmas in July! July 23, 2010
By Stephanie Streeter
 

Hillsborough County's Child Abuse CouncilFor those of you who need to satisfy a desire for some shopping, why not help out a good cause in the process?  Tonight the Child Abuse Council is hosting a “Christmas In July” event at their Baby Bungalow location on Azeele in South Tampa.  The evening will feature a silent auction and a fabulous gourmet spread provided by Datz Deli, Pappas Marketplace, GreenWise, and more!  All proceeds from the $20 ticket fee will benefit this great local charity.

Working towards their goal of strengthening families in Hillsborough County, The Child Abuse Council provides our community with programs focused on prevention, education, and treatment.  Organization supporters offered more than 5,000 volunteer hours in 2008, which allowed the council to assist over 60,000 children and adults.

“I’m really looking forward to the ‘Christmas In July’ event,” says Tampa realtor Suzanne Whightman.  “It’s so important for us to give back to the community, and the Child Abuse Council is such a worthy cause.”

Event Details:
Location: Child Abuse Council’s Baby Bungalow, 3106 West Azeele Street, Tampa, 33609
Date: Friday, July 23, 2010
Time: 6pm – 9pm
Cost: $15 in advance, $20 at the door

For more information or tickets call 813-673-4646

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Steinbrenner, A Friend To Tampa July 14, 2010
By David B Moyer
 
George Steinbrenner in Tampa

George Steinbrenner in Tampa

George Steinbrenner left us on July 13, 2010, leaving behind quite the legacy. Steinbrenner was known throughout much of the world as the owner of the New York Yankees, which he developed into the most storied (both loved and hated) franchise in sports. “The Boss” was very hands on with the team, making daily decisions in the management of the Yankees and would also hire and fire. Pennants, rings, and trophies have all found their way to Yankee Stadium, which in turn has had a positive effect on Tampa through the years as well. With quite a few MLB debates beginning and ending with George Steinbrenner’s influence on baseball, he has certainly left behind a legacy that none of us will soon forget.

There is another side to Mr. Steinbrenner which the media fails to reference and ESPN cares not to highlight. I personally hate the Yankees, but never knew how much he meant to the city of Tampa until I moved here 6 years ago. I realized the Yankees and Tampa were close, tied in a bond, and that bond was Steinbrenner. Besides having resided in Tampa since the 70′s, he was active in the development of the area and had an influence on local real estate.  He moved the Yankee Spring Training facility across from Raymond James Stadium, the home of the Buccaneers.

George Steinbrenner gave a lot of time and money to various charities in our area, especially those involved in bettering children’s lives. He focused on disadvantaged children, high school athletes and coaches, members of the military, firefighters, and police officers. A foundation he was involved in, The Gold Shield, provides college tuition to children of police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty and is a widely supported local charity. He also sponsored the 4th of July fireworks in Tampa (which happen to fall on his birthday), a ball to raise money for high school coaches, a pediatric emergency and trauma center at St. Joseph’s Hospital, the Boys and Girls Club, and is also the namesake for a local high school.

The City of Tampa knew George as a friend, not just a baseball owner in New York. Local families grew up with his children, and current Yankee players find themselves living in Tampa’s communities.  Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, and Jorge Posada are current residents, and the organization and its family have always had a home in Hillsborough County. With all of the Yankee’s successes, Tampa has always enjoyed an incredible amount of charitable participation in Tampa Bay.  George was not just a leader in New York, but locally as well, and will greatly be missed in Tampa Bay. We lovingly offer our support the Steinbrenner family, sincerely appreciate the great things they have done for this town, and hope that we can all come together for them in their time of need.

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Chihuly Collection Coming to St. Petersburg July 8, 2010
By David B Moyer
 

St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg is spirited in the ARTS and excited for the arrival of Dale Chihuly and his wonderful collection. As the world and nation now look to St. Petersburg as a destination for art, the locals are ready to embrace this label and showcase the beautiful area that is the city’s downtown and waterfront.  The schedule of events is as follows:

July 3, 2010: First Gather: A Community Celebration. 10am – 4pm at the Morean Arts Center. Admission is FREE. “First Gather” is the beginning process of glass-blowing, and will be an opening to the community of the Morean Arts Glass Studio & Hot Shop. There will be tours of the facility, music, food, crafts, glass artists, demonstrations, and an appearance by the Ray’s mascot.

July 10, 2010: Dale Chihuly Lecture and Book Signing. 2pm-4pm at the Renaissance Vinoy. $150 per ticket. Dale Chihuly will present a lecture in the ballroom, and all guests will receive a complimentary Chihuly book which he will be sign following the lecture. Desserts and champagne will be served.

July 10, 2010: The Chihuly Collection’s Carnivale of Glass. 7pm -11pm at the Chihuly Collection and 400 Beach Seafood & Tap House. $200 ticket. This is a “can’t miss” event, and the first opportunity for the public to view the collection. Signature cocktails, appetizers, beer, and wine will be selected by the 400 Beach Seafood & Tap House for this magical evening. Entertainment and Dale Chihuly will be available to cap off the night.

July 11, 2010: Premier Tour of the Chihuly Collection. 1pm-6pm. $125 ticket. This will be the first time to tour the Chihuly Collection, and the official opening day. A limited amount of tickets are available and guests will be greeted with champagne. There will be a guided tour and guests will receive either a Chihuly book or DVD.

Not that we’re at all suprised, since we already knew what a gem St. Petersburg is…but American Style Magazine recently raved about the city!  Smith & Associates is proud that the home we know and love is getting such fantastic attention on the national level. To read the article, please click here.

Information on the schedule of events was provided by the Morean Arts Center.

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Sail Tampa Bay Event
By David B Moyer
 

Tall ShipsThe TALL SHIPS® are coming to Tampa Bay!! The event starts this weekend July 10th and lasts until July 14th.  The Capitan Miranda, Eagle, and Gloria will be sailing into Tampa waters.  These amazing vessels are all between 200′ – 300′ in length, and will be docked in the Channelside Convention Center docks.

Tickets will be sold on location, and small meals will be available as well. Ships will be open for viewing, with the Eagle having limited viewing hours. This 5 day festival will have live music and guided tours for those who are interested. Spectators will line the shore to view the kickoff for the event, the “Parade of Sail”, when the ships can be viewed entering the Port of Tampa.  The Parade will be held from 11am – 2pm on Saturday.

Why stay home inside your Tampa home this weekend when you can be a part of such a great event? For more information visit Sail Tampa Bay 2010 website.

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July 4th in Tampa Bay June 30, 2010
By David B Moyer
 

Looking for fireworks on July 4th? Here is the scoop on some local activitiesFireworks in Tampa Bay.

For those will would like to celebrate near their home in Tampa:

The 9th annual fireworks celebration, hosted by the Tampa Attractions Association, will be held in the Channelside District. The fireworks will begin at 9:00 pm on Sunday July 4th off a barge in the Garrison Channel. There will be tons of activities for all in the area, with free admission to the Tampa Bay History Center or $10 admission to the Florida Aquarium after 3pm. Dragon Boat races will occur at the Tampa Convention Center from 6-9pm.  Can’t make it to Channelside?  The fireworks will also be visible from other locations downtown or from Bayshore Boulevard.

For those who call St Pete home:

The St. Pete Pier 4th of July Extravaganza goes from 1-11pm on Sunday July 4th and will be located at 800 2nd Ave NE. There will be a full day of music, face painting, circus activities, a hypnosis show, and fireworks at 9pm. Straub Park will host live music from 5pm-8pm, and is a great location for picnics and family activities. Nearby, The Pier will have a great view of the fireworks!

From all of us at Smith & Associates, Happy Independence Day!!

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Smith & Associates Paint Splatter Event June 28, 2010
By David B Moyer
 

St. Petersburg Downtown Splatter Paint ShoesOn Wednesday evening (June 23, 2010), Smith & Associates Real Estate hosted a splatter painting event in its Downtown St. Petersburg real estate office.  The event was held to benefit the Morean Arts Center, the organization which is responsible for bringing the Chihuly Collection to St. Petersburg.

St. Petersburg Splatter Paint ShoesAbout 60 people took part in the event, which was inspired by Dale Chihuly.  For those who may not be aware, he’s not only revered for his glass work!  Chihuly is also known for splatter painting, where he lays a canvas on the ground and splatters paint on it.  The artist wears special orthopedic shoes which are always covered in splattered paint, and which he’s been known to wear to formal events.  So, to be sure he feels a warm Tampa Bay welcome when he comes to town, the residents of St. Petersburg have taken to splattering their shoes as well!

St. Petersburg Splatter Paint ShoesChihuly will be making public appearances in St. Petersburg on July 10th for his lecture and book signing, and July 11th when the Chihuly Collection exhibit opens at 400 Beach Drive, just steps from our office’s front door.

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Rock the Park – New Music Series! June 24, 2010
By David B Moyer
 

The opening of the new Curtis Hixon waterfront Park in Downtown Tampa has paved a new beginning for activities and events for the public to enjoy. Rock the Park is new music series hosted in the park that offers all styles of musical genres for people of all tastes. Every first Thursday of the month, the Park will host and introduce local artist ready to “rock” the night away.

Guests can bring lawn chairs, blankets, and settle in for a relaxing musical evening. Curtis Hixon offers a dog park for your four-legged friends and a playground for your children to enjoy. The Museum of Art’s cafeteria, SONO, can provide snacks and beverages.

These monthly events may be a great chance to explore the growth of Downtown Tampa, and to take a look at the great new residential buildings like Skypoint, Element, and Residences of Franklin Street. There are plenty of restaurants and bars to explore nearby; Taps, The Point, Flybar, Spain, the Retreat, and Hattricks. If you’re in the mood for a walk, it’ss always a beautiful site to see the Tampa Theatre all lit up at night while walking down Franklin Street. The next Rock the Park event will be July 1st, featuring The Hip Abduction, which is a great young local band.

Curtis Hixon Park is located adjacent to the new Museum of Art in Downtown Tampa on Ashley Street, between Zack Street and Kennedy Boulevard.  Visitors can find paid parking options in multiple local garages, or on nearby streets, if available.

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St. Petersburg Coast: Oil Spill Update June 21, 2010
By David B Moyer
 

What a tragic time for the Gulf of Mexico. The oil spill has started affecting all of us in this nation. As Louisiana & the Florida Panhandle start seeing the sad visuals of what has now become a reality, we wonder how this will affect our Pinellas County beaches. Smith & Associates Real Estate is not the expert in this part of the equation, but often we do have waterfront home owners and buyers who want to know how this disaster affects them in Tampa Bay. We did a lot of research, and we do hope you all do the same when it comes to this subject. The oil spill currently is impacting the Louisiana coastline and a few Florida beaches in the Panhandle, as identified in the map areas.

All of Florida’s beaches remain open. At this time, there are no beach closures and Florida’s state waters remain open to recreational fishing. Florida’s 825 miles of beaches, 1,260 miles of coastline and 14 seaports (including cruise ships), remain open for business. Now just because things seem “fine” today on the Tampa Bay beaches, does not mean the area will not see any effects. Only time will tell, but as for today, “our beaches are beautiful, and the water is blue”, according to Sheila Cole of the Clearwater Beach Chamber of Commerce. The water current system seems to play in Tampa’s favor, with the current taking water flow from destination south/west. The good news for us in Florida is that the weather continues to cooperate. The winds continue out of the south/southeast and the current continues to push the oil slightly to the west. This should limit any onshore impact. Please use the NY Times Oil Spill Water Current Map to help track this disaster. Following this link will give you all the tools to offer assistance in this time of need.

Gulf Coast Oil Spill

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First Friday In Downtown St. Petersburg June 4, 2010
By David B Moyer
 

Finish of the work week in style every first Friday of the month in Downtown St. Petersburg!  The main event can be found on Central Avenue between 2nd and 3rd streets.  You can find music, drinks, and a great crowd of people ready to relax and have a good time.  It’s a great opportunity to check out the amazing restaurants, great local art scene, and hip clubs and bars amidst 3,000 of your Tampa Bay neighbors.  Each event runs fron 5:30 – 10 pm and features a different band, frequently jazz.  June’s event features music by The Venturas.

The monthly block party is organized by the Breakfast Optimist Club of St. Petersburg, which uses the event to raise funds for important projects.  For eight years in a row, First Friday has been the club’s most successful fundraiser.

If you’re in the mood for more, Jannus Landing offers further music, or you could just go straight to nearby Tropicana Field and check out the 1st place Rays.  For more information on the event, please visit their website.

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Downtown St. Petersburg Creative Revival May 27, 2010
By David B Moyer
 

In 2005, the real estate boom had the 600th block of Central Ave in downtown St. Petersburg ready for the next big new construction tower.

In 2007, Crisip Arcade was an empty space in St Petersburg, home to no tower – another hole created by a slow market.

In 2010, the rejuvenated block is home to studios and creative businesses that have inspired the Arts District.

The Crislip Arcade is a rebirth of a 1920′s shopping block which provides shades and shops along Central Avenue. Nestled between bars, restaurants, and businesses, artists who call St Petersburg home now have a space to showcase their poetry, song, art, and photography. It took a lot of like minds to create such an amazing turn of events including inspired artists, a willing landlord, a creative city council, and cooperative code/city departments. A major change in real estate focus also allowed an opportunity for all of this to take place.

The property changed hands from a developer who envisioned a high rise to an owner willing to take the investment at a lower price and wait out the market. The city stepped in and offered to renovate the property and give it a new use while the new owner also upgraded the block.  “It is a much more realistic world,” says Bob Glaser, President/CEO of Smith & Associates Real Estate.  “People are starting to own property at the right price range.   (Rents) are almost equal to the debt service. There are probably other sites in the Bay area that would qualify.”

This is a great example of how you can take advantage of what is existing and use it to improve the downtown area. What an amazing thing for the city and for all to be a part of.  For the many artists and creatives who call St Petersburg home, there is now an all-new place to flourish.

What’s there?  The businesses in Crislip Arcade are:  Gallery Woo, Kimberly White Gallery, Rex A Million Gallery, MQC Fine Art Gallery, Croatian Naive Art Gallery, Vivian Knot Thompson Studio and Gallery, Art on Central, Elwell Gallery,All Sewn Up Boutique, Misred Outfitters, Dazzio Art Experience, Donna Gordon Gallery & Studio, Robinson Brand Builders, The Sebastian Thomas Gallery, The Department – Design, Branding, Environment, Vitale Art Studio, Blue Lucy, Sleeperwoods, Rhino Film Studios, Studio@620 Annex,  and 1 of 1 Customs.