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Enjoy Florida’s Largest Home Show August 27, 2010
By Stephanie Streeter
 

It’s bFlorida's Largest Home Show in Tampaack!  Florida’s Largest Home Show is back in town and opening its exhibition at Tampa’s Convention Center starting on September 3rd.  Running until the 6th, it’s the perfect opportunity indulge and get your home improvement fix.  From building to remodeling, and decorating to landscaping, the show has it all for your Tampa home!  Local, national, and international vendors will all be on hand showcasing the latest in products, gadgets, and services.  Need advice?  Ask one of the many experts who will be on hand.  Need ideas?  Stroll through the showcase display to decide what you just have to have in your Tampa home.  Adult admission is $8, seniors $7, children under 12 are free.

Show dates & hours: Friday, Sept 3 from 11:00 am – 8:00 pm;  Saturday, Sept 4 11:00 am – 8:00 pm;  Sunday, Sept 5 11:00 am – 6:00 pm;  Monday, Sept 6 11:00 am – 6:00 pm.

Unable to visit on these dates?  No problem.  You can catch it at the Florida State Fairgrounds November 5-7!

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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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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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Hyde Park Village Live Music Series May 26, 2010
By David B Moyer
 

Hyde Park Village Fountain

It is here. The 23rd Season of the Live Music Series in Hyde Park Village!

On the last Wednesday of every month from May to October, Hyde Park Village hosts live music. Locals gather to mingle in a fun urban atmosphere. Great restaurants like BT’s, The Wine Exchange & Timpanos become filled with patrons and the Village comes to life.

Why not join in the fun?  CineBistro, the new movie theater/restaurant is a perfect spot to finish the evening.  Or, maybe a stroll down to Howard Avenue in order to continue your evening out is more your scene. This free event is open to all, and usually a friendly spot for dogs on leashes.

Everyone usually leaves the evening wondering, “Why do they have this event in the Summer heat??!!” The idea of having it in a cooler season, or better yet, all year long would be fun. Regardless, it is a good time and we fully encourage you to check it out!

Below is the schedule of dates & music.

2010 Live Music Series Concert Line-Up:

*May 26

Charity:  Epilepsy Foundation

Band:  Sweet Spot

*June 30

Charity:  Big Brothers Big Sisters

Band:  Jason Young Band

*July 28

Charity:  HARC

Band:  John Miller Band

*August 25

Charity:  The Academies

Band:  Shout

*September 29

Charity:  The Nephcure Foundation

Band:  De Lei’ed Parrots

*October 27

Charity:  Humane Society of Tampa Bay

Band:  Shakes Society

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Homeowner’s Insurance Credits Mean Big Savings March 9, 2010
By Stephanie Streeter
 

In a time when saving whenever possible is on a lot of our minds, it’s important to keep in mind that discounts on the homeowner’s policy for your Hillsborough County home can amount to large reductions in cost. Our friends at Baldwin Connelly in Tampa informed us today of quite a few options for credits from insurers like AIG and others. Below is just a sampling of some of the options for available savings.

Hillsborough County Home

Possible Credits For A Hillsborough County Home:

- Burglar & Fire Alarms
- Course of Construction Credit
- Guard Gated
- External Perimeter Security
- Wind or Hail Exclusion
- 24-Signal Continuity
- Sprinkler System With Flow Alarm
- Perimeter Protection Gate
- UI Approved Lightning Protection System
- Gas Leak Detector
- Full-time Caretaker
- Back-Up Electric Generator
- Residential Sprinklers
- Temperature Monitoring System
- Approved Storm Shutters
- Approved Impact Resist Glass
- Well Designed Plywood Shutters

In addition to these possible savings for your policy, additional portfolio credits for private collections and excess liability or flood coverage are also available.  Savings can also be found by means of safety equipment discounts on automobile coverage, and multi-car discounts.

Baldwin Connelly representatives also stressed the importance of having every Hillsborough County home, as well as those in Pinellas and Pasco counties, evaluated by performing a wind inspection.  This inspection, and the consequent filing of a Uniform Mitigation Verification form with your insurance provider, identifies the possible insurance savings available to you based on the current structure of your home.

For information on contacting Baldwin Connelly, please refer to the Smith & Associates Real Estate preferred vendor list.