City & Shore Magazine

Grace for impact: Storm doors, windows

CityandShore — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:24:41 +0000

By Charlyne Varkonyi Schaub

Hurricane Andrew changed the way we look at windows. Since that devastating storm in 1992, South Florida building codes have been revised to require hurricane shutters or storm-impact products whenever we change windows or exterior doors.

No worry. The designs can be very fashionable – and they are available in any style from contemporary to classic.

Impact-resistant glass is also a crime deterrent. “Burglars cannot break the glass,” says Hillary Bale, vice president of the Custom Door Shop in Delray Beach. “Even the fire department had to be trained to saw into the concrete around the door to open it.”

home decor

City & Shore wins Features Journalism award

CityandShore — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:57:31 +0000

Winners were just announced in the national 25th Annual Society for Features Journalism Excellence-in-Features Writing Competition. In the General Commentary category, the winner in Division 1 is Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times; Mark Gauert, the Sun Sentinel (City & Shore Magazine), won in Division 2; and Susan Ladd, of the News & Record, Greensboro, N.C., is the winner in Division 3. Winners will be honored at SFJ’s national conference at the Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg, FL., on Oct. 9-12. Congratulations to all the winners (full list http://featuresjournalism.org/contests-2/sfj-winners-by-category/). Here are links to three pieces in the winning entry from City & Shore Magazine:

http://www.cityandshore.com/departments/here-now/beeping-with-the-enemy/

http://www.cityandshore.com/departments/here-now/the-buzz-on-the-everglades/

http://www.cityandshore.com/departments/here-now/on-forbes-miserable-most-miserable-list/

Turnkey design: Just bring a toothbrush

CityandShore — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:04:45 +0000

By Charlyne Varkonyi Schaub

Imagine this: The house or condo you bought comes ready with all the furniture, accessories, towels, linens, pots and pans in the styles you prefer. All you need to move in is your toothbrush and wardrobe.

Welcome to “turnkey” design — the perfect solution for those with the money but not the time. Typically in South Florida it’s done for those moving in from out of state, but it can also be the best solution for busy executives. How many details the designer provides varies with the client.

These three examples run the gamut from snowbirds trading up to a larger home in Florida to clients moving from homes to condos.

DESIGNER: Gil Walsh, Gil Walsh Interiors, West Palm Beach

PHOTOGRAPHER: Daniel Newcomb

Mike Conville, president of Beacon Construction Group in North Palm Beach, is no stranger to turnkey design. He’s used to working with a team of designers and architects to create the concept for snowbird clients.

Conville used his experiences in the design of his new 3,500-square-foot condo at the Esplanade Grande in West Palm Beach with the help of interior designer Gil Walsh.

“I was too busy with so many projects,” Conville says. “We had a relationship because she has done jobs for me. She knew my aesthetic. She would send me [product information sheets] and she would go shopping for the furniture and all the accessories. I went shopping with her a couple of times. We didn’t return much – maybe three items.”

Conville describes himself as “a New England guy who likes homey with a little edge.” He wanted Walsh to add a little more edginess to his conservative style. For example, she suggested building a stand for his coral art.

The condo design was a mix of high and low – from Ralph Lauren pendants in the kitchen to a mirror in the dining room from Z Gallerie. He found some of the pieces himself, such as the large oil painting of Venice in the dining room. He also found glassware, which Walsh placed on the bar shelves so they were ready when he moved in.

Walsh says the project was a team effort. When Conville purchased the condo, it was sterile with no architectural detail. He built cabinetry in his library/office, separated the hallway between the great room and master bedroom with a built-out casing an out casing and created a bar in the great room with a large TV built into the two-way mirror.

“We put the style together and our thoughts together,” Walsh says. “He showed me photos of what he liked and we talked about scale and the location of the furnishings. That is why it turned out so well and why he is so happy. He can live here and eventually may sell it. It is a great look and will sell.”

In the master bedroom, Conville wanted to use his own bed and night tables, which Walsh thought he should replace. They went shopping together and found new end tables and they visited an Asian gallery where he fell in love with a three-panel painting, She told him the art wouldn’t work with his bed because it was too big. He replied, “You are going to love them. I know it is going to work.”

“Sure enough, part of them are hidden, but it looks great,” she says.

DESIGNER: Patty Gilbert of Brown’s Interior Design, Boca Raton

PHOTOGRAPHER: Ed Butera

Patty Gilbert’s clients, former snowbirds from Connecticut, bought a home in Delaire Country Club in Delray Beach a decade ago. After the husband retired, they traded their smaller home for a larger one they built in the same development.

“The only thing that makes a turnkey difficult is the client is not here all the time,” Gilbert says, noting Brown’s does a lot of designs for clients who are out of town. “We really have to get a lot of information up front – how they live, how they want to use the home. In this case, it made my job easy because I had done a home for them already and knew what they wanted.”

The construction took more than a year and the wife flew into town a few times to pick out construction details, but she left Gilbert on her own to decide the furnishings. Everything was new except for the two sofas and Christopher Guy mirror in the den that were in their smaller Delaire home.

Gilbert, inspired by a ceiling she saw in a California hotel, designed a creative focal point in the foyer. The circles were built in drywall and painted a deep tan in the center to contrast with the off-white ceiling. The same circular motif was created in a mosaic on the floor.

The great room, which has a 25-foot-high ceiling, was brought down more to scale with a deep cornice in brown fabric that matched the wing chairs. Gilbert purchased a metal sculpture that needed more height so she asked her cabinetmaker to create a pedestal.

The clients are very social and entertain a lot at home so the loggia was created with plenty of space for eating and dining, including a square table that seats eight and a conversation area. The outdoor kitchen, which is part of the space, has a gas grill and room for storage.

“We have a lot of clients coming down here from the north,” she says. “They can’t stay so we do everything from beginning to end, Very often we will have a client shop up north for sheets and towels and we send everything to our warehouse or we will do it and they don’t have to worry. Then they can just move in.”

ONLINE BONUS

DESIGNERS: Brett Sugerman
and Giselle Loor, b+g design,
Fort Lauderdale

PHOTOGRAPHER: Barry Grossman

Brett Sugerman and Giselle Loor are turnkey pros because many of their clients demand this design solution.

“We, as a matter of course, buy the linens, bedding, bath accessories and sometimes plates and dishes, toasters and coffeemakers,” Sugerman says. “Every project is a little bit different. Some stop at bath linens and some make us go all the way through.”

The 2,500-square-foot condo at The Ritz-Carlton Fort Lauderdale was designed for a client who was moving from a large home in western Broward County. Sugerman and Loor selected everything from the clean-lined furnishings to the art.

The dining area of the great room features a David Weeks light fixture that is an interpretation of a mid-century modern classic. The sculptural form of the large fixture was selected because it does not block the view. Structural columns are always a headache in newer high-rise condos so the designers built a box around the column, which is large enough for storage. The bar has a waterfall edge and allows drinks to be made on the far end.

The former guest room was transformed into a home office because the clients prefer to put up guests in a hotel room at The Ritz-Carlton. The custom designed shelving and storage unit are wenge wood with a high-gloss custom lacquer in cerulean accented with polished stainless steel bands. The glass desk has a cantilevered leg on one side and is supported by a wood piece on the other.

Another guest bedroom was converted to a media room because the client decided he wanted a cozier space for a home theater. The designers added a large 3D projector and a fixed projection screen. Seating includes a 10 ½-foot long sofa and a swivel chair. The artwork, printed on aluminum panels, is a tongue-in-check voyeuristic series of photographs that look into people’s offices.

The dining and living areas are set apart by a millwork canopy and wall paneling. One wall features a four-piece artwork by Loor. Another wall morphs into the TV unit, which has sculptural floating lacquer panels. The designers purchased all the books, including a $500 book that comes in a box that can be opened for display on the coffee table.

“It is designed to be a space within a space,” Sugerman says.

The turnkey designs are nothing like doing a model for a builder, he adds.

“We take a lot of care to make a client’s home their home,” he says. “We want to make sure what we are doing is right for the client. It is not like putting together a model for imaginary clients or trying to appeal to a broader segment. As you get more turnkey, you are getting more personal. You are buying what sheets they sleep on and what towels they dry their bodies with. We will show clients samples and try to anticipate their more intimate needs.”

Sources

Patty Gilbert: Brown’s Interior Design, 4501 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton, 561-368-2703, brownsinteriors.com.

Brett Sugerman and Giselle Loor: b+g design, 410 NW First Ave, #310, Fort Lauderdale, 954-929-6949, bandgdesign.com.

Gil Walsh: Gil Walsh Interiors, 523 Northwood Road, West Palm Beach, 561-932-0631, gilwalsh.com.

City & Shore finalist for four Fla. SPJ awards

CityandShore — Mon, 06 May 2013 15:44:28 +0000

City & Shore Magazine is a finalist for four awards this year in state Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) competition, including Cover Design, Inside Design, Special Interest Publication and Commentary/Criticism categories. Congratulations to all the finalists, including our colleagues in the newsroom at the Sun Sentinel! Complete list of the nominations here, http://tinyurl.com/brh6z5b

Avalon: Toyota’s magic carpet ride

CityandShore — Sun, 05 May 2013 01:33:56 +0000

It’s early for ladies’ night at YOLO on Las Olas, and there’s already a pair of Porsches out front. The valet reluctantly agrees to park my borrowed Toyota Avalon next to them. “But you have to move it soon,” he warns.

The Avalon’s color is called “cypress pearl,” and it’s a fairly stunning hunter green that picks up the late afternoon light. The car is curvy, with bulges by the back wheels that look like muscled shoulders. A stylish crease runs across the doors like pleated tuxedo pants. The back end is Aston Martin rounded, and the front has a grille that glows with chrome accents.

“The inside is amazing,” the valet concedes. “It’s just like driving a Lexus.”

He’s right. Nearly every surface is covered in a leather-like material with attractive stitching and three matching colors.

But then there’s this: As the Avalon sat there – a redesigned and brand new car – the YOLO crowd passed casually by. Nobody stopped to peek inside. Not a one noticed the metallic paint shining in the sun. This is a car that won’t attract the attention of your neighbors. Your boss won’t wonder if he’s paying you too much.

For those who don’t care about impressing on ladies’ night, they will get a spectacular car. This is a car so well engineered that, decades from now, you will spot an Avalon and wonder if it’s the one you bought and sold years ago.

It became evident that the Toyota factory in Kentucky put together a brilliant car from my first zip onto the highway. The Avalon’s 268 horsepower engine is a potent force. It doesn’t work hard speeding onto I-95. And it will get 25 mpg doing it (40 in the hybrid), impressive for a large sedan.

At a cruise, the Avalon shines. The engine is noiseless at 80 mph, the electronic tachometer sitting as if the car were at idle. The cabin is spacious, with a good two inches on either side of my leg. The seats, as adjustable as a Craftmatic bed, are so big they’re reminiscent of the benches in the Buicks my grandparents used to drive.

That Buick comparison is an important one, because it’s clear Toyota was going for that market with its flagship sedan. It’s true that the Avalon drifts along, bouncing gently, like a magic carpet gliding on a soft breeze. Take the Avalon over speed bumps and railroad tracks and all you feel is a gentle up, a gentle down.

Back in my driveway during a weekend test drive, though, it sat out front without fanfare, without a single neighbor coming by to ask about it. Same thing at Publix and Home Depot.

Then I put it up front at a beach parking lot Sunday morning, and suddenly the Avalon seemed like a beauty queen. Tourists asked questions. A guy in a limo-length Lexus LS asked how much it cost. He was blown away to learn the bargain price of $33,195 – he could have bought three Avalons instead.

Next came a friendly Canadian with a French accent. He was eyeing the Avalon from a block away. He had just driven the wife down from Montreal in a Camry.

“Is that the new Avalon?” he asked. “It is very nice.” He peeked inside at the interior, tan and black and brown, matching like a runway model. “I could be very comfortable in this.”

And he’s right. He might just find the Avalon is a near-perfect car, as long as he doesn’t care about impressing the neighbors.

— Eric Barton

Toyota Avalon: For local dealers, see buyatoyota.com

A list to leave out where all Dads will see it

CityandShore — Sun, 05 May 2013 01:33:15 +0000

Mother’s Day is just around the corner and, you’re due for a celebration. We recommend leaving this list out where the Dads in your life can see it, and letting them do the rest. Here are seven great ways they can help you feel special:

Eat Out. We would never turn down a great meal, especially one cooked by someone else. Head to Steak 954 for a carnivorous feast at the W Hotel Fort Lauderdale. The Stephen Starr restaurant serves up all the steakhouse classics – think East and West Coast oysters, beef tartare, dry-aged New York strip and creamed spinach. Don’t leave without considering the lobster bisque, miso-glazed black cod and truffle French fries. Ask about the made-to-order cookies for dessert, too. They are as good as Mom makes. (Except you won’t have to). Steak 954 at the W Fort Lauderdale: 401 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, 954-414-8333.

Get Fit. After the cookies, tighten and atone with a month (or 12) of Fly Boca Plus+ at Flywheel Boca. The package grants you unlimited Flywheel rides and FlyBarre classes. Sweat off dessert with 45 minutes of spinning in Flywheel then head to FlyBarre for toning and tightening. Odds are you’ll prefer one to the other, but a month of both should deliver noticeable results. Flywheel Boca: 2200 Glades Road, Boca Raton, 561-368-3246.

Bloom Big. Give yourself – and your better half – a gift that keeps on giving with a year of roses from Field of Flowers. Every four weeks for 12 glorious months, a beautiful bounty of flowers will arrive on your doorstep. Instant smiles and beauty – selected, arranged and delivered by someone else. Prep for classic red, sunny mini yellows and a cheery springtime assortment.

Field of Flowers’ rose arrangements by the month: 800-963-7374, fieldofflowers.com.

Go Geek. A great gadget can be hard to find. Invest in an iPad Mini and it will quickly become your favorite device. Check email, read a book or magazine, catch up on celeb gossip, watch a movie with a flick of your finger. The mini is small and sleek and fits perfectly into your purse. To really treat yourself, buy two – one for you and one for everyone else in your home. iPad Mini, Apple.com.

Win (Potentially) Big. Leverage a love of Facebook and jewelry to win a $2,500 necklace via Raymond Lee Jewelers’ Mother’s Day contest. Post photos of yourself (or another woman you’d like to nominate), add a note about why you’re special and get everyone you know to “Like” the photo. Even better – get your husband to do all the work! The big winner will take home a 14-kt. white gold diamond circle pendant, valued at $2,495. Contest ends May 12. Raymond Lee Jewelers: 22191 Powerline Road, Boca Raton, 561-750-7808, raymondleejewelers.net.

Slip Away. Check into the Remède Spa at The St. Regis Bal Harbour and check out of routine for the day. The six-hour Remède Spa Sanctuary should require a passport. The package bends and buffs with a customized facial, massage and body polish, then finishes it all off with a manicure, pedicure and light lunch. You’ll leave beaming with a post-vacation glow. Remède Spa at The St. Regis Bal Harbour: 9703 Collins Ave., Bal Harbour, 305-993-3300, stregisbalharbour.com/remede-spa

Rock Out. Celebrate a belated Mother’s Day with one of the most famous moms on the planet as Beyoncé brings the Mrs. Carter Show World Tour to South Florida July 9-10. Beyoncé has delivered big on her three previous tours – look for dramatic costumes, impressive choreography, addictive energy and a night to remember.

Beyoncé, 8 p.m. July 9 at the BB&T Center, 1 Panther Parkway, Sunrise, thebbtcenter.com; and 8 p.m. July 10 at American Airlines Arena, 601 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, aaarena.com.

—Valerie Schimel

May/June Calendar

CityandShore — Sun, 05 May 2013 01:32:51 +0000

May

5 Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade hosts “Claws for Kids,” its second annual fundraising brunch, where guests can enjoy stone crabs and other signature dishes at Joe’s Stone Crab without the wait. 11:30 a.m. at 11 Washington Ave., Miami Beach. $175. 305-446-9910, bgcmia.org.

6-7 Charles Krypell Trunk Show, with a special appearance by the world-renowned jewelry designer. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Weston Jewelers, 1728 Main St., Weston. Free. 954-389-7990, westonjewelers.com.

9 The Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County presents 100 Outstanding Women of Broward County, which showcases the accomplishments of women in Broward’s business, community and philanthropic fields. The evening will feature a cocktail hour, silent and live auctions and dinner. 5 p.m. at the Signature Grand, 6900 State Road 84, Davie. $125; $185, VIP. 954-563-2822, 100outstandingwomen.com.

10 Join 600 other guests at the Broward Education Foundation’s 18^th Annual Scholarship Celebration, featuring cocktails, a silent auction, dinner and dancing. This year’s theme is Airplane, so come dressed as a flight attendant, pilot, tacky tourist or character from the movie. 6:30 p.m. at the Broward County Convention Center. Tickets start at $100. 754-321-2030, browardedfoundation.org.

11-12 Asian-Pacific American Heritage Celebration, showcasing the culture, traditions and history of the Asian-Pacific region and featuring dance shows, music, food tasting, cultural games and arts and crafts. Noon to 4 p.m. at the Museum of Discovery & Science, Fort Lauderdale. $14, adults; $13, seniors; $12, children 2 to 12; children under 2 are free. 954-467-6637, mods.org.

12 Techzilla hosts its inaugural Mother’s Day 5K Run/5 Mile Walk, a family-friendly event that includes a kids’ 100-yard dash and a post-event celebration with breakfast, bounce house, face painting and other attractions. Proceeds benefit MyWish4U, a nonprofit that provides hope and encouragement to children afflicted with pediatric cancers. 5:30 a.m., registration; 7:30 a.m., Run/Walk, at Huizenga Plaza, 32 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. Registration fees start at $20. 305-358-1446, TechzillaFoundation.org.

12 Dine al fresco among the gardens and then enjoy the 8^th Annual African Violet and Begonia Show and Sale at the Mother’s Day Brunch at Flamingo Gardens. 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at 3750 S. Flamingo Road, Davie. Tickets start at $29.95. 954-473-2955, flamingogardens.org.

14 Leadership Broward Foundation Inc. hosts Fun Lunch 2013, honoring Doug Bartel, Doug Blitzer, Gary Grossman, Maria Pierson and Linda Wood. 11:30 a.m. at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center. $65, Leadership Broward Foundation members; $75, non-members; $45, Emerge Broward members. 954-767-8866, leadershipbroward.org.

14-19 Step aboard and tour El Galeón, a 170-foot wooden replica Spanish galleon from when Ponce de Leon first came to Florida. Tours conducted from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day during the ship’s stay at the Bahia Mar Marina, Fort Lauderdale. Free; order tickets at showclix.com/event/VivaFlorida500Voyage
FtLauderdale. 954-765-4466.

15-18 Reel in the fun at the Pompano Beach Fishing Rodeo, one of South Florida’s oldest and largest fishing tournaments, now in its 48th year. $275 per boat (six anglers); drift boat, $100. Alsdorf Park, 2974 NE 14th St., Pompano Beach. Times vary. 954-942-4513, pompanofishingrodeo.com.

16-18 Seminole Okalee Indian Village Pow Wow, a three-day event that showcases the history of the Seminole and other Native American tribes from all over the United States. Enjoy dancing, competitions, wildlife and snake shows, Native American crafts, traditional food and more. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 5716 Seminole Way, Hollywood. $10. 954-797-5582, semtribe.com.

18 View the latest creations from the finest watchmakers in the world at Levinson Jewelers Annual Watch Fair. Franck Muller, famed master watchmaker, will be flying in from Geneva for the event; and NFL Hall of Famer Dan Marino will also attend. 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Levinson Jewelers, 888 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. Free. 954-462-8880, levinsonjewelers.com.

18 Fourth Annual Covenant House Florida 5K, benefitting the shelter for homeless, runaway and at-risk youth under the age of 21. Starting at the Parrot, runners/walkers will head south on A1A to East Las Olas Boulevard, then north on A1A and pass the finish line back at the Parrot. Packet pickup, 6 a.m.; race, 7 a.m., at 911 Sunrise Lane, Fort Lauderdale. $30 through May 17 (includes T-shirt); race day registration, $40 (T-shirt not guaranteed). 954-561-5559, 5kona1a.com.

18 Dozens of magnificent sailboats will compete in a challenging 12-mile course off the shores of Fort Lauderdale Beach in the 2013 Hospice by the Sea Regatta, which will be followed by an Awards Ceremony and Celebration at Coral Ridge Yacht Club. 11 a.m., Regatta; 6:30 p.m., Awards Ceremony and Celebration. $50. 561-416-5037, hbts.org.

18 The Disco Ball, a celebration of those who help the homeless in our community. Enjoy dinner, dancing and a special performance by ’70s pop icon Thelma Houston, all to benefit the Broward Partnership for the Homeless. 6 p.m. at GPG Studios, 2801 NW 55^th Court, Fort Lauderdale. $250. 954-832-7037, bphi.org.

19 Enjoy an evening of laughs at the 4^th Annual Comedy Night benefiting the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America. The event features a live performance by Ryan Stout, known for his regular appearances on Chelsea Lately, Conan and Comedy Central Presents. 6:30 p.m. at The Improv Comedy Club at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood. $25 (two-drink minimum). 305-310-5507, online.ccfa.org.

19 Israel Fest 65, a celebration of Israel’s 65 years of statehood, featuring kosher food available for purchase and entertainment by the Maccabeats. 4 p.m. at Mizner Park Amphitheater, Boca Raton. Free. 561-852-3100, jewishboca.org/israelfest.

25-27 Fort Lauderdale Home Design and Remodeling Show, where consumers can see thousands of products for home renovations and updates for every room in the house as well as talk with the companies that sell them. Noon to 9:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday; noon to 7:30 p.m., Monday (Memorial Day), at the Broward County Convention Center. $10; discount coupon available online. 305-667-9299, homeshowspecials.com.

27 Memorial Day Concert, a free performance sponsored by the City of Boca Raton and featuring the New Gardens Band, the Indian River Pops and the Robert Sharon Chorale. 7 p.m. at Mizner Park Amphitheater. 561-393-7700, ci.bocaraton.fl.us/MiznerAmphi.

31 Habitat for Humanity 2013 Golf Classic, a great afternoon of lunch, an 18-hole scramble tournament and an after-party celebration with cocktails, prizes, raffles and fun, all to benefit Habitat for Humanity of South Palm Beach County. 11:30 a.m. at Quail Ridge Country Club, 3715 Golf Road, Boynton Beach. $125. 561-819-6070, habitatsouthpalmbeach.org.

June

2 Aventura Mall and The Miami-Dade Family Learning Partnership host a book fair, featuring children’s best-sellers from acclaimed authors, book signings, readings, raffles and more. All proceeds benefit The Miami-Dade Family Learning Partnership and its collaboration with community agencies and institutions to improve child and family well-being and literacy programs. Noon to 6 p.m. at Center Court at Aventura Mall. Free. 305-935-1110, aventuramall.com.

4 Pompano Beach Fine Food & Wine, an annual fundraiser for the Greater Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce that features food prepared on-site by over 25 of the finest South Florida chefs, along with fine wines and beers. The evening will also feature a Chinese raffle and auctions. 6 p.m. at the Hillsboro Club, 901 Hillsboro Mile, Pompano Beach. $60 in advance, $70 at the door. 954-941-2940, pompanobeachchamber.com.

8– Sept. 1 The Art and Culture Center of Hollywood offers the rare chance to view more than 70 original Peanuts cartoon strips spanning five decades at the exhibition “Charles M. Schulz: Pop Culture in Peanuts.” On June 8, from noon to 5 p.m., the Center will host the “Snoopy Jazz Party,” a special celebration of the exhibition and all things Peanuts. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. at 1650 Harrison St. $10, adults; $6, students, seniors and children ages 4 to 17; members and kids 3 and under, free. Note: free admission on June 16 and July 21. 954-921-3274, ArtAndCultureCenter.org.

—Robyn A. Friedman

When a leap of faith may be the right move

CityandShore — Sun, 05 May 2013 01:32:35 +0000

It’s been more than five years since the country saw the beginning of the end of the real estate boom. Before that, South Floridians who weren’t already either Realtors or mortgage brokers were flocking to get their licenses and preparing to jump on the bandwagon, with visions of dollar signs dancing in their heads. Then, even faster than it rose, the market came tumbling down.

In any business, it’s difficult to go from enjoying the fruits of prosperity to feeling like it may be time to reconsider your options. And according to business coach Margaret Moczkowski, there are a few:

Stay the course. In other words, wait it out — if you can afford it. You have to know what you’ll be earning and what you need to live on until things turn around — if they turn around.

Change your situation. While you can’t change the market, you can implement new strategies; for example, changing your focus to short sales.

Leave the profession. If there’s a different job you’ve always thought you’d enjoy, this may be the time to open that door and walk through it.

For former South Florida real estate professional Gregory Ashe, who had been riding high buying land and reselling it to developers until the market started going south, it was time to make the leap to something new. “I just couldn’t make money anymore,” he says. “I had put a blind eye to what was going on even though I saw it coming.” Ashe was walking to his car on his final day of work when the owner of the internet marketing firm next door, Headstrong Media, caught him in the parking lot and offered him a position. Intrigued, he accepted – and it turned out that he loved the job. “I was so enthused by capturing data on consumers and how you can apply that to businesses, and
I realized this is something that can never really die. There will always be businesses and they’ll always need to advertise.” Eventually, he became the owner of Headstrong Marketing, and today, at 31, he is the COO of M1 in Fort Lauderdale, a data collection and distribution firm with annual revenue of $10 million.

If Ashe had to give one piece of advice to professionals flailing in real estate or any other profession, it would be this: the harder you work, the luckier you get. “The only way to get new opportunities is to meet new people, and the harder you work, the more people you meet,” he says.

—Lori Capullo

A ‘Master of Complications’ at the Watch Fair

CityandShore — Sun, 05 May 2013 01:32:18 +0000

Over the years, the Watch Fair at Levinson Jewelers in Fort Lauderdale has grown from a local show of timepieces into a most-watched event.

“We have been having our Watch Fair for 15 years,” says Mark Levinson, who with his wife, Robin, owns Levinson Jewelers on Las Olas Boulevard. “The original goal was to have a trunk show, but on a different level than a typical show — more like an exhibition — and to be the first to present to our clients the newest and greatest timepieces being produced internationally.”

The Levinsons will host this year’s Watch Fair, showcasing the latest timepieces and collections from around the world, on May 18. The free event, open to the public, will also be attended by special guests NFL Hall of Famer Dan Marino and Swiss watchmaker Franck Muller, co-founder of the Geneva-based design and manufacturing firm bearing his name.

This year’s event will feature timepieces ranging from $500 to more than $1 million from over 28 different watchmakers, including Panerai, IWC, Piaget, Bulgari, Franck Muller, Dior, Corum, Ernst Benz, Hublot and more. Guests will also have an opportunity to meet the “Master of Complications,” Franck Muller, who will be flying in from Geneva for the event and will meet guests between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and answer questions about watchmaking.” For the first time, the event also will showcase a collection of all of the Franck Muller brands.

“We are very excited to be able to have our co-founder Franck Muller with us this year,” says Ron Jackson, president of Franck Muller Group USA in New York. “We have many options within the Franck Muller brand, ranging from beautiful ladies diamond watches up to the most advanced mechanical complications, such as our Giga and Thunderbolt Tourbillon and other complications.”

–Robyn A. Friedman

Levinson Jewelers Annual Watch Fair, 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 18 at Levinson Jewelers, 888 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. For more information, call 954-462-8880 or visit levinsonjewelers.com.

Cinema Paradiso goes Hollywood (Florida)

CityandShore — Sun, 05 May 2013 01:32:01 +0000

Dinner in downtown Hollywood is about to become dinner and a movie. When Cinema Paradiso-Hollywood opens in September in a renovated pottery studio, it will provide another draw for the shopping, dining, arts and entertainment district.

“I’m just so excited. It’s a perfect fit,” says Jorge Camejo, executive director of Hollywood Community Redevelopment Agency, which has been working on the cinema idea for several years.

“Downtown Hollywood has a unique charm. It’s a historic downtown,” he says. Indeed, the city was envisioned by developer Joseph W. Young in the 1920s as a “Dream city in Florida,” with wide, tree-lined boulevards punctuated by park circles and a walkway along the beach.

“You don’t feel like you’re at another strip mall here,” Camejo says. “The cinema will accentuate the unique quality of downtown Hollywood.”

Gregory von Hausch says the opening of the theater will lengthen the reach of the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival. (The original Cinema Paradiso is in downtown Fort Lauderdale.)

“Hollywood will help greatly to expand our base, increase memberships, attract new sponsors and provide easier access for patrons to attend,” says von Hausch, president and CEO of FLIFF. In addition to showing films, the theater will feature music performances and comedy nights, he says.

Cinema Paradiso-Hollywood will have just under 100 seats with a concession stand, a bar and a $35,000 digital projector – but that’s just a beginning, according to supporters.

Hollywood attorney Alan Koslow, the chair of the Broward County Film Society (FLIFF), has grand plans for the theater.

“We’re going to start out intimate, and when we see that it’s a success, we’re going to expand,” he says.

Interest in the theater has been overwhelming, Koslow says, with fundraising efforts generating more than half the $125,000 goal in only the first six weeks. The Hollywood Community Redevelopment Agency has been instrumental, pledging $30,000, among other funds, for the purchase of tickets to supply to area hotels for guests.

—Elizabeth Rahe

Cinema Paradiso-Hollywood, 2008 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, opening this summer, fliff.org.