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How One Local Builder is Improving South Tampa October 20, 2011
By Kortney Gentry

In an effort to improve South Tampa homes, Tampa Realtor, BG Holmberg has teamed up with Martin Ryan, a 3rd generation spec builder of almost 30 years and founder of M. Ryan Homes. These two have known each other for nearly 7 years now, however, 2 years ago, they came up with a concept and started a plan that would keep growing families in the area they love.

The concept:

* All homes will be in the Plant High School district but will vary in elementary schools, giving families more options for younger children
* Homes will be located in various areas of central South Tampa
* The average price point varies from the high $400s to $600K
* 4 Bedroom minimum in each home
* Lot size will vary but will range from 50′ x 80′ to 80′ x 130′
* All are built following several consumer expectations: hardwood, granite, beautiful cabinetry, stainless steel appliances & double paned windows for energy efficiency. Many of the homes also feature tankless gas water heaters & gas stoves to reduce the use of electricity.
* While the homes all lean towards more of a traditional/mission style combination with a square shape & clean lines, there will be 5-6 different floor plans

The past two years….

BG Holmberg led Ryan to his first lot purchase in September of 2009 and the duo have since collaborated on 17 more lot purchases, 13 home completions (12 of which have already sold) and 3 homes are currently under construction. Since these are all built to specifications to remain in the realm of the original concept, very few changes are made by the buyers and the homes are not typically listed until near completion. That doesn’t mean you should wait until the last minute if you are looking to purchase one of these beauties; 10 out of the 12 that have sold were under contract before the home was even move-in ready.

What should you be looking for in the future?

Since Ryan oversees all of his projects on his own, he works on a maximum of 5 homes at a time, all of which are exclusively marketed by BG Holmberg via Smith & Associates Real Estate. The two plan on knocking out (or rather, building up) 8-10 homes per year with an undecided end point or until South Tampa meets all of their specifications.

If you are interested in one of these South Tampa homes, contact BG Holmberg to arrange a meeting.

What do you look for when it comes to purchasing a new home? Do their specs meet your requirements?

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The Newman & Allen Team Have Done It Again October 19, 2011
By Kortney Gentry

If you have been following us for a while, then you know that there’s no party like a Signature Place party and this past Friday, St. Pete Realtors, Scott Allen (pictured below right) and Debbie Newman did it again! After this pair sold out one of downtown St. Pete‘s luxury high rises, Signature Place, they decided that the residents deserve to have regularly scheduled events that will not only allow them to get to know their neighbors but to gain an appreciation for the amazing community as well.

On Friday, October 14th, the Chihuly Exhibit closed it’s doors to the public from 6-8pm, allowing for a private more intimate atmosphere open to only the Signature residents and their guests. While the museum was closed, that doesn’t mean it was empty; The event summoned up an amazing turnout with upwards of 140 in attendance. Guests enjoyed great company, food & wine as well as a documentary on Dale Chihuly and a private tour of his installations & works residing in the St. Petersburg exhibit. Many attendees have already visited the museum but loved the opportunity to visit again with friends & neighbors. According to feedback from Scott Allen, “Those that visited the museum for the first time were thrilled and impressed.”

While the Newman & Allen Team continues grow their market share in the Bay area, they will never cease to take care of their community and the Signature residents. Scott claimed that “The Morean Arts Center’s relationship with [Smith & Associates Real Estate President/CEO] Bob Glaser (pictured above middle) was key to this event’s success”. However, we know that not only the event’s success but St. Petersburg as a whole would not be the same without he & Debbie either. The Newman & Allen Team is one of the top producing collaborations in the area, yet their humbleness is always present and genuine.

To see more photos from the event, click here. Have you attended one of the Newman/Allen events? What did you think?

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Smith Agents & Bay Area Residents are Making Strides Against Breast Cancer October 17, 2011
By Kortney Gentry

Are you or someone you know making strides against breast cancer? If so, then you may be aware that October has officially been deemed “Breast Cancer Awareness Month“, meaning that communities come together, hosting events nationwide to celebrate lives that have been saved and to raise money in hopes of finding a cure.

This month, the American Cancer Society (ACS) encourages women to “Put on your pink bra and join us in Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. The pink bra is an empowering symbol of how personal the fight against breast cancer is. During our Making Strides events, a sea of participants in pink bras will join together to take up arms against the disease. This noncompetitive, 3.2-mile walk that celebrates breast cancer survivors and raises funds to save lives by helping people stay well, helping people get well, by finding cures and fighting back.”

Smith & Associates Real Estate has formed a team to participate in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk on October 22nd and are accepting donations online at www.putonyourpinkbra.com. Look for Team Smith & Associates or drop off a check at our Tampa office (3801 Bay to Bay Blvd), made payable to “American Cancer Society, Making Strides.” Donations of all amounts are welcomed and any amount over $100 or more will get you an event t-shirt!

Tampa Realtor, Janet Mendez welcomes & encourages friends, family, survivors & and clients to decorate a pink bra, wear it over your t-shirt and join our team for the walk. It’s a great way to show your children & grandchildren how a lot of people doing a small part for a big cause makes for huge results!

Event Details
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
Saturday, October 22, 2011
7:30am Registration
9:00am Walk Begins

Location:
St. Pete Times Forum
401 Channelside Dr.
Tampa, FL 33602

A few fun facts on the American Cancer Society & why we are so eager to support them:

Helping people get well and stay well:
* The American Cancer Society’s screening guidelines are the gold standard for doctors and patients.
* Every 30 seconds someone calls the American Cancer Society and breast cancer is the top reason for calling. ACS provides support and information 24 hours a day via 800-227-2345 and online at cancer.org.
* The ACS is there with a sympathetic ear, cancer information, a ride to treatment, help accessing other resources in their community and many other services.

Finding Cures:
* The American Cancer Society has been involved in nearly every major breakthrough in the fight against breast cancer, helping make less radical surgery possible and finding lifesaving treatments such as Herceptin and Tamoxifen.
* ACS funds more research than any other nonprofit, next to the federal government.
* Fourty-four ACS funded researchers went on to win the Nobel Prize.
* The American Cancer Society invests more in breast cancer research than any other cancer type. Today, ACS invests $115 million in 220 breast cancer research projects nationwide and more than $6 million for 11 research initiatives in Florida.

Figthting Back:
* The American Cancer Society is the leading voice for cancer patients in the Florida capital as well as Capital Hill. Because of their advocacy, Florida developed two cancer research programs over the past decade and since just 200, has funded $7 million in breast cancer research.
* ACS is currently fighting for state funding to ensure ALL women in Florida have access to mammograms and breast cancer treatment.
* Making Strides Against Breast Cancer events bring communities together and give people a voice to fight back against the disease. The events raise both awareness and vital funding to make more progress and save lives.

If dropping off donations at the office, look for our “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” flags and for a $25 donation, a pink flamingo will be placed in our yard honoring or remembering a loved one of the donor’s choosing. Have you or someone you know fought the battle with breast cancer? What are your favorite supporting charities?

(Photos courtesy of American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer)

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Tampa Bay Just Got Awesome October 5, 2011
By Kortney Gentry

And we mean that in the most literal way possible. According to their website, “the Awesome Foundation for the Arts and Sciences is an ever-growing, worldwide network of people devoted to forwarding the interest of awesomeness in the universe”. What does this mean exactly?

Well, there are several different chapters of the Awesome Foundation in cities all over the world including: Boston, New York, Montreal, Seattle, Sydney, DC, Berlin, San Francisco and our very own Tampa Bay. Ten different chair people local to the specific city will get together to form a board. Each month, the board members will donate $100 per person (in the name of awesomeness, of course) which makes up a $1,000 grant. Local residents will submit applications for awesome ideas they have to improve their city and the board members will vote on who gets the grant based off of the applications. Awesome, right?!

Some of the awesome ideas that have been funded in other cities are a monstrous colorful graffiti mural on the wall of a Boston school, a live re-inactment of the Indianna Jones and the Alley of Doom scene where locals get to play the role of Mr. Jones running from the gigantic boulder in DC (see photo to the right for a visual courtesy of the Awesome Foundation blog), polka-dots painted on top of San Francisco buildings to create the worlds largest game of connect the dots (picked up by Google Map satellites), and a winter Warmth project dedicated to keeping the homeless warm in Melbourne through backpacks filled with food, gloves, toothbrushes and information on assistance organizations.

The Awesome Tampa Bay chapter is brand spanking new, so they haven’t funded anything yet, however they are currently taking applications and eager to make our Tampa home more awesome than ever $1,000 at a time. For more information or to submit your ideas, visit their website at www.AwesomeTampaBay.org.

What awesome ideas do you have to improve Tampa Bay?

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It’s a Hole-In-One Race for the Cure October 3, 2011
By Kortney Gentry

It’s that time of year. We are seeing Susan G Komen “3-day” banners, t-shirts, runners and walkers popping up everywhere and now we are seeing golfers too! On Sunday, October 9th, one of our very own Belleair Realtors, Ted Anderson will be sponsoring a hole and handing out goodie bags at the 6th Annual Bosom Buddies Forever Golf Classic. The event takes place at the Belleview Biltmore Golf Club in Belleair and the proceeds will be given to the Susan G Komen Foundation.

If you have a heart for both golf and charity, then this 4-person scramble is for you. Entry is only $100 per person and includes green fees, golf cart, on-course beverages, awards, lunch, dinner and participant prizes. For $100, you can also promote your business and support the cause via hole sponsorship. Or if you’re feeling confident in both your company and your golf skills, for $450, grab a couple of work buddies for a Corporate Team and hole sponsorship combo.

Various local merchants will be donating items for participant goodie bags and there will be prizes given out for competitions including: hole-in-one, putting contest, closest to the pin on all par 3s and longest drive for men & women. If you show up in this awesome breast cancer awareness themed golf cart, I vote automatic win!

The shotgun start is at noon but be sure to leave your Belleair home with enough time to get there before 11am for open registration and a light lunch. Enjoy on-course drinks throughout the day and the award dinner will begin at 5:30pm. All in all, the day should be delightful. Nothing like a fun competition for a great cause to kick off the fall weather!

We do however, know competitions can get serious, so choose your team wisely…Who will you have on your side?

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Take a Load Off at the Tampa Bay Food & Wine Experience September 28, 2011
By Kortney Gentry

The Tampa Bay Food & Wine Experience grew from the four year Tampa Bay Food & Wine Festival that once graced St. Pete Beach. The Experience will take place September 29th- October 2nd and will feature an array of amazing local cuisine and of course…wine! Talk about a great early start to the weekend.

The event will kick off tomorrow night with a delicious culinary dinner by one of Smith & Associates‘ favorite caterers, Mise en Place. For $65, attendees will joy a scrumptious four-course meal paired with southern Italian wine.

Don’t let the morning hangover set in because there will be even more fun happening on Friday! The invitation only Trade & Media Grande Experience Tasting will take place at Curtis Hixon Park in Downtown Tampa where local delicatessens will make it onto the grid from 1-4pm followed by the Mini Treats evening soiree at the Creative Loafing space in Ybor from 8-11pm. The Mini Treats event is (surprise?) hosted by Mini Cooper and will share various delicious bite-size morsels (that according to their site will “will send you diving into the deep end of the delicious pool”) with the public for $45 per person. It may be fall, but this is Florida and I am ready to go swimming in that pool!

Everyone will reconvene at Curtis Hixon Park for The Grande Experience Tasting Saturday at 1pm, where you will wander around, wine glass in hand to experience the fruits of some of the world’s greatest wine makers. You will also have the change to explore each restaurant exhibit to sample some of the finest local food and attend one of the Grande Tasting Seminars to learn how to properly please your palate at home as well! (The Grande Experience will be $75 ahead of time & $85 at the door or get VIP entry an hour early for $100.) After a long day, head back to Mise En Place from 6pm-9pm for the After Glow & Trade Chill where, for just $15, you will enjoy appetizers and signature drinks while relaxing with new friends and old alike.

The Experience will go out with a bang at the (much needed) Jazz & Wine Maker Brunch at the Wine Exchange in Old Hyde Park Village (pictured right courtesy of unleashyourpalate.com). Allowing you to sleep in a bit after the weekend’s excitement, the event takes place from noon-3pm. For $65, enjoy what is said to be the best brunch in town- European style creations paired with the wines of Frog’s Leap Winery. Or step up to the Bloody Mary bar for the perfect cure to the morning after a wine filled weekend while listening to the soothing sounds of CBS Radio.

I don’t know about you but I am pretty sure I have made up my mind about this weekend’s plans and I am ready to start tomorrow! Get out of your Tampa Bay home for the weekend and join us at the Tampa Bay Food & Wine Experience! For more information or to purchase event tickets in advance, visit their website at http://www.unleashyourpalate.com/2011/ Are you coming or what?

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History Appreciation: The Tampa Theatre September 26, 2011
By Kortney Gentry

I cannot walk through downtown Tampa without taking pictures of the ever so amazing Tampa Theatre. (literally…EVERY time) As I look at the brick walls and well lit vintage sign, I can’t help but revert back to my younger ways of make-believe and pretend it is the 1920′s. My hair is perfectly put together in a tight knit finger wave bob, I have my 25 cents and my husband and I are going on a date to see the silent film. Well, I declare!

So, when I come back to reality and realize it is 2011, we are walking to Pizza Fusion in the Skypoint building, and I am daydreaming in the middle of the street, camera in hand, tourist style, I quickly come to. I do however continue to appreciate the beauty that one historical building can bring to an area filled with modern luxuries.

According to an article in the October 15, 1926 Tampa Tribune, Theatre architect John Eberson was quoted on how he got the magnificent idea for the design of the Tampa Theatre. “I have been wintering in Florida for the past several years, and it is from this state that I got the atmospheric idea. I was impressed with the colorful scenes that greeted me at Miami, Palm Beach and Tampa. Visions of Italian gardens, Spanish patios, Persian shrines and French formal gardens flashed through my mind, and at once I directed my energies to carrying out these ideas.” And we sure are glad he carried them out. A city is always much more fun when filled with history and beauty- just another amazing reason to appreciate our Tampa Bay home.

A few fun facts & vintage photos I found on the Tampa Theatre website:

Opened: October 15, 1926
Architect: John Eberson
Architectural Style: Florida Mediterranean (includes touches of Italian Renaissance, Byzantine, Spanish, Mediterranean, Greek Revival, Baroque, and English Tudor)
Original Construction Cost: $1.2 million
Restoration Costs, to date: $2 million
First Movie: “The Ace of Cads” starring Adolph Menjou (silent film)
Opening Night Ticket Price: 25 cents
Acquired by the City of Tampa: 1976
National Register of Historic Places: 1978
Tampa City Landmark: 1988
Longest Employment Tenure: 45 years 1926-71 (Blondelle Gladney, box office cashier)
Seats: 1,446
Annual Events: 600+
Average Annual Attendance: 150,000+
Programming: specialty film, classic movies, concerts, special events, corporate events, field trips, weddings, graduations, production location, tours

If you are looking for something to get you out of your Tampa home, support local history. Check out the upcoming events at the Tampa Theatre by visiting their site at www.TampaTheatre.org.

Have you ever been to the Tampa Theatre? What is your favorite historical monument in the Bay area?

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Designer Thursday: An IKEA Throwback September 22, 2011
By Kortney Gentry

IKEA- World’s largest furniture retailer, designer on a budget/DIY lover’s Mecca, giant maze filled with heavenly Swedish furniture (and surprisingly or not, meatballs)…whatever it is, we love it. And would you believe that this beast of a chain was founded by a 17 year old in 1943?? Thats right 1-7!

The letters that make up the stores well-known name are actually an acronym of the founder’s name (Ingvar Kamprad), the farm he grew up on (Elmtaryd), and his home parish (Agunnaryd, in Småland, South Sweden). * Fun Fact: Småland is directly translated “small land” in Swedish. Hence, why the “kiddy-land” section in many of the stores don this name.

In 1951, eight years after IKEA was founded, the first catalog was published (see amazing vintage cover pictured right). Then in 1958 the very first store opened it’s doors. There are now over 270 some odd locations open worldwide (including a Tampa location, visible from the Crosstown Expressway). Talk about company growth!

Decorating my St. Petersburg home is not all IKEA has done for the world. They have partnered with several other non-profit organizations including World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) and UNICEF. According to their website “The IKEA Group, in co-operation with UNICEF, initiates a broad community program in northern India to address the root causes of child labor. The project includes 500 villages and will benefit more than 1 million people, providing more than 80,000 children with an opportunity for an education. At, present, the project covers a range of initiatives, such as providing alternative learning centers, health and nutrition, education, empowering women and forming women’s self-help groups”

If that is not reason enough to absolutely love this place (read: go on an immediate interior design spree), then I don’t know what is. We should all learn a lesson from them. Looking for something to do in Tampa today? See you at IKEA in 10…

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Tampa Bay Fashion Week 2011 September 21, 2011
By Kortney Gentry

For aspiring designers and models, or those of us who just want to see a runway show and experience the excitement of the following years upcoming trends, New York and LA have been the two main options in the past. However, now, those of us who call Tampa Bay home can experience fashion week at it’s finest. The best part? It is going on right now!

Tampa Bay Fashion Week is an exciting annual event that allows local designers, models, photographers and stylists to really showcase their talents to both local and national retailers. While the Art Institute of Tampa kicked off the official events of the week with their Red Carpet Reception and Celebration of Vintage Designs, the party started as early as last Saturday, September 17th when Project Runway’s Tim Gunn (pictured right on the cover Entertainment Weekly) hosted a runway show right in the middle of International Plaza!

If you missed last weekend and yesterday’s events, no worries, there is more…Check out tonight’s 6pm Model Behavior Cocktail Reception at Element in Downtown Tampa where you will enjoy hors d’oeurvres, while networking with tons of designers and models including supermodel Cheryl Tiegs. Then, head on over the bridge to Downtown St. Pete tomorrow evening for the Swanky Soirée where you will find not only local fashion and fine art but amazing cuisine will be served by 15 local chefs, restaurants, bakeries & coffee shops and all proceeds go to charity.

Don’t get too tired during the week, as you won’t want to miss Friday’s runway shows & Fashion Week Boutique at Innisbrook Golf & Spa Resort in Palm Harbor. The work of 9 local designers will be featured and tickets are available ahead of time for $75 or at the door for $100 (pending availability). Maybe you will even get a lucky go-ahead to attend Saturday’s Invitation Only Private Party- it’s so secret that they don’t even give us details! Check out Fashion Week Tampa Bay’s site for tickets & more info. (left photo courtesy of Dive In Tampa Bay)

It was once said that the Tampa Bay area could never sustain a shopping center the caliber of International Plaza with upscale stores including Neiman Marcus, Burberry and Gucci. Way to go, ladies & gents- we showed them wrong! We now host our very own Tampa Bay Fashion Week complete with high end models, celebrity hosts and still stick to our local talent as well. We are also expecting even more big name retailers to start gracing us with their presence in the near future…H&M cannot come soon enough & c’mon, American Apparel, get on the band wagon!

What is your favorite place to shop in the Tampa Bay area? Do you plan on attending any of the upcoming Fashion Week events?

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South Tampa Gets the “Viitals” When it Comes to Nutrition September 14, 2011
By Kortney Gentry

In this day and age, it seems everyone has either a food allergy or hard-to-accommodate-in-daily-life preference. There are said to be 8 major food allergens: gluten, dairy, wheat, eggs, soy, nuts, fish and shellfish. There are some people with ethical reasons for not eating many of these items (such as vegans). Then there are the people who choose to eliminate some of them for health or digestive reasons- whether it is in an attempt to feel better on a daily basis or to cure a disease. Then there are those that consuming some of these items is the difference between life and death. Now that is scary!

If we lived in caveman times, preventing negative reactions to these foods would be easily solved by eating at home every night…and day…and morning. Not to mention, many of these allergies were nonexistent at that time. However in this day and age, eating on the go at times seems to be a necessity and at other times an enjoyable pass time whether by yourself or with friends.

For the most part, restaurants will accommodate one or more of these food allergies but it is never guaranteed “safe”. And, as a vegan with the need to be completely gluten free (I try!), my options at times are either the side salad with no dressing, croutons or cheese or the french fries. Bleh! That is not a meal!

So other than your Tampa home, where does one go when they suffer from several or ALL of these allergens but need a fast meal? ::drum roll please:: Viitals Gourmet Cafe. (Yes, there are 2 i’s, although I haven’t asked why yet). This little gem of a place has everything you need when looking to be healthy in a hurry. Almost everything on their menu is considered to be a “complete meal”, with the adequate amount of calories comprised of the perfect fat, protein, carb/fiber breakdown to sustain the average person.

Their menu features everything from fair-trade, organic lattes and full meal smoothies (with the option to add vitamin and superfood boosts), to muffins and other baked goods made from scratch in their dedicated gluten-free bakery & sandwiches that can be served cold or pressed on their homemade artesian bread. Oh, and I can’t forget about their non-alcoholic, electrolyte filled coconut water concoctions including the “Bloody Mary”, “Cosmopolitan”, “Blueberry Mojito” and “Mango Pina Colada”. Happy hour has a new meaning & I am getting excited just sharing them with you!

I consider myself a food photo connoisseur (aren’t all vegans though??). However when I recently visited Viitals to have the hot pressed “Unexpected” sandwich with the Mango Pina Colada, I didn’t have my fancy camera & had to revert back to caveman times by breaking out the old iPhone. The food was amazing, despite the shabby photo above!

Anyways, if you are in South Tampa looking for a quick, healthy & allergen-free bite to eat, check out Viitals Cafe. It is located on Dale Mabry just minutes away from the Smith & Associates Tampa Office. If you’re feeling generous and decide to bring food back to share with us, I am sure no one would hate it!

Have you ever been to Viitals? What did you have and how did you like it? Pictures or it didn’t happen!

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