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SRQ DAILY Jul 15, 2021

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Freshly Squeezed Content Every Morning

"You always think lessons learned will apply to the next scenario, but what's happened right now is so different from (the recession), which was really financially driven."

- Laura Cole, LWR Communities
 

-From The Ground Up, as seen in SRQ's July/August 2021 edition. Click photo for the full article.
[Real Estate]  Lakewood Ranch Hottest Market In U.S.
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

A surge in home sales provided a surprise silver lining to the economic toil of the COVID-19 pandemic. A national analysis suggests Lakewood Ranch may have benefit more than any other community in America.

Real estate consulting firm RCLCO ranked Lakewood Ranch the best-seeling community in the U.S. in its 2021 mid-year survey. That came as Lakewood Ranch announced 1,535 new home sales secured in June alone, representing an 83% jump from the prior year. And Laura Cole, executive vice president of LWR Communities, noted last year wasn’t the poor year many feared when the coronavirus shut down most commerce last spring.

Cole in fact lists the pandemic as one of three major factors in the Ranch’s current success. “The pandemic influenced the market everywhere in the country,” she said. That caught even an optimistic lot like Realtors by surprise. But whether it was individuals finally deciding to buy that Florida home or millennials deciding remote work could be done from anywhere so why not paradise, there was an undeniable bump in sales.

Lakewood Ranch benefit from that especially as five new villages had recently opened last spring. That meant there was an inventory of homes waiting in a variety of price ranges at just the moment real estate surged. From townhomes selling for around $280,000, luxury homes in the $2 million and up range, and a variety of prices in between.

In the Ranch, luxury sales lifte by 57% year-over-year, the active adult market jumped 71%, and, entry buyers leapt 84%.

As for the future, Cole doesn’t expect the market for the remainder of 2021 to be quite as hot as the first half. That’s largely because builders have to limit the inventory the bring online. They have a backlog of customers interested, but supply costs have skyrocketed as demand rose. It may be a good problem to have for real estate professionals, but it inevitably means fewer sales each month.

On the bright side, it also means this market doesn’t look like it’s going to crash, lest this boom remind too many of the Great Recession.

“You always think lessons learned will apply to the next scenario, but what’s happened right now is so different from (the recession), which was really financially driven,” Cole said.

So where are these customers coming from? Lakewood Ranch continues to see an even divide of in-state and out-of-state buyers. The former come from Tampa or the East Coast with people fleeing cities for more open space. The out-of-towners come from New York, Connecticut, New Jersey and Massachusetts, reliable markets. But an exodus from California also means more purchases here.

Also, the ranch suddenly has found buyers from Chicago. While there has always been interest, low home values there through the years scuttled many a purchase because, unlike New Yorkers, Chicagoans after the Great Recession could not unload their existing properties and still have the capital to buy a Florida dream home. Thanks to increased values nationwide, now they can. 

Photo of Mallory Park home

[Florida Design Works]  Tile On! Move your home project forward at Florida Design Works

There are three important words in the tile industry right now: We have stock. Nearly every industry is facing supply shortages, increased freight expenses and long lead times, including the home improvement business. Design Works went to work over the past few weeks to secure all-important in-stock items that are either in our warehouses or stored locally by manufacturers and can be accessed near-immediately. And while some might think that in-stock can also mean boring, with over 40,000 product varieties in our showrooms, we can help accent an in-stock, tried-and-true flooring choice, with a backsplash, inset or flooring accent. 

Let’s start with the in-stock floor - an espresso colored porcelain flooring by Portobello called Adrock. Its dark hue is perfect for a kitchen when married with light colored cabinets and quartz counter tops. To enhance the basic, add a pop of interest. We recommend accenting the floor using a smaller 8x8 porcelain tile with a wood-inspired look by Stones & More called Artwood. You can inset a small accent area, use under the kitchen table, place up the walls of the island, or use it as a backsplash. As you begin your home improvement project, be sure to consider retailers like us who offer in-stock merchandise, but also offer ways to accent your project. Visit the Sarasota Design Works showroom or contact us to start your design.  

Learn More Here

[ShopTalk]  Your Space, But Better
Madison Mursch, madison@srqme.com

Scrambling to get the kids ready for school, packing lunches and picking out outfits can lead to a chaotic mess you simply do not have time to manage while heading out the door. With such chaos comes clutter, and with clutter comes Your Space Better - Sarasota Professional Organizers to swoop in and save the day, offering hands-on help for those who just don’t want to do the dirty work. From decluttering to unpacking, downsizing to editing and reconfiguring, Your Space Better is a custom home organizing service that improves the functionality and beauty of your personal space.

Owner and queen of all things organization, Luisa Castano says her expertise and passion sparked at an early age right here in the circus capital of the world. While living in RVs and traveling with her dad who worked for the Ringling Circus, she learned the non-negotiable importance of a tidy space, especially when in close quarters. “A little unknown fact: circus workers are experts at making the most out of every space in their home and creating systems to maintain order,” says Castano. “They were the original minimalist way before the big movement, even before Marie Kondo, or The Home Edit.”

Many of us may not like to admit it, but it’s nice to have a helping hand when it comes to not just cleaning your space, but maintaining it. With each home comes a unique lifestyle and prioritization that is taken into account when customizing an organization system. “An empty nester who loves fashion, reading and spoiling her fur babies is going to organize her closet differently than a mom who spends the weekends boating and fishing with her family,” says Castano.

Creative and resourceful, Your Space Better professionals will come in to improve the functionality of your space using storage, shelving, and labeling techniques—making early morning closet browsing or working from home that much more effortless.

Your Space Better, sarasotaprofessionalorganizers.com, 941-702-4880, YourSpaceBetter@gmail.com, @yourspacebetter for inquiries about chaos and clutter-free consulting. 

Photo Courtesy of Your Space Better

[Grant]  Mental Health Care Grant Awarded to Forty Carrots Family Center

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County through the James Franklin Warnell & Dorothy J. Warnell Fund and the Edward K. Roberts Fund recently awarded Forty Carrots Family Center a $20,000 grant to offer and expand mental health care assistance to local families and children.

Michelle Kapreilian, Forty Carrots CEO states “Forty Carrots Family Center remains committed to the mental wellness of families and children. The pandemic has significantly increased the need for access to quality services, particularly for those without financial resources. We know addressing a child’s mental health concerns now means lowering the risk of long-term chronic mental health challenges for a lifetime. We are most grateful to the Community Foundation of Sarasota County for their unwavering support of mental health services for all.”

For more information, visit www.CFSarasota.org or call (941) 955-3000.  

Pictured: Forty Carrots Family Center Child & Family Therapy Building

[Achievement]  Merryl Koven Earns NAR Pricing Strategy Advisor Certification

Merryl Koven with SaraBay Real Estate has earned the nationally recognized Pricing Strategy Advisor (PSA) certification. 

Click here for more information.

[Recognition]  The Kathy Damewood Team Makes RealTrends The Thousand List

The Kathy Damewood Team of RE/MAX Alliance Group was recently recognized in the 2021 “The Thousand” list by REALTrends + Tom Ferry. Only .07% of the 1.4 million Realtors in the United States make up “The Thousand.”  

Click here for more information.

[Recognition]  Carey Beychok Named One of America’s Best Real Estate Professionals

Broker-Associate Carey Beychok of RE/MAX Alliance Group was recently recognized in the 2021 “America’s Best Real Estate Professionals” rankings by REALTrends + Tom Ferry.  

Click here for more information.

[New Hire]  Bradenton Resident Alisa J. Westberry Joins Caldwell Trust Company

Longtime Bradenton resident Alisa J. Westberry has joined Caldwell Trust Company as assistant trust officer, working from the company’s Sarasota office at 1561 Main Street, according to R. G. “Kelly” Caldwell, CEO/president. 

Click here for more information.

[Environmental Sustainability]  Sea & Shoreline Announces Seagrass Restoration Projects

Sea & Shoreline announced the commencement of two new aquatic restoration projects in Florida in Lake Istokpoga and St. Andrew Bay. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission awarded both projects to the veteran organization with proven success in cultivating, installing, protecting, and maintaining seagrass and submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV). The company hopes to bring forth long term results for the restoration of these water bodies, ensuring both marine life and aquatic ecosystems will flourish. 



[In This Issue]  Future Proof

Around environmental sensitivities facing our local coast, Selby Gardens and The Bay see these future challenges as innovative opportunities. 

Click here to read the full article in SRQ's July/August 2021 edition.

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: The Pancake Jamboree , July 15, 7am-1pm

We're bringing back one of our trademark events from the past for our 75th Anniversary... The Pancake Jamboree. Join us on July 15 from 7am to 1pm for a nostalgic day at LECOM Field (next to where the original Boys Club was located on 9th St) for a pancake breakfast, the Boys & Girls Club Baseball All-Star Extravaganza and Club Alumni Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. There is also be a VIP Luncheon option on the outfield boardwalk.

[SOON]  FILM: The Ringling: On Screen: A Taxi Driver , July 15, 1pm

Based on a true story, in 1980, a foreign journalist hires a down-on-his-luck taxi driver to take him to Gwangju, South Korea. They soon arrive to find a city under siege by student protesters and the military. A Taxi Driver is Not-Rated. AWARDS: 2017 Motion Picture Association of South Korea (Grand Bell Awards) – Best Film, 2017 Asian World Film Festival in Los Angeles - Best Film. Join us at 1pm on July 15 at the Historic Asolo Theater for big-screen movie magic in the Historic Asolo Theater. July is dedicated to Asia in the Movies, an ongoing series of film screenings and conversations showcasing a broad range of films and filmmakers from across Asia and the Asian diaspora. The initiative celebrates established and emerging voices, contemporary films and classics, animated films, as well as documentaries. The series builds on The Ringling’s mission to represent and center diverse voices and celebrate various cultures, as well as to become a space for relevant conversations around current social and political topics. For her final project, Anna Green, the performance Intern from New College of Florida has thoughtfully selected films for a series that educates, provides opportunity for conversation, and fosters understanding. We recommit to our values of equity, to providing a space for representation, and to highlighting the diversity and beauty of the Asian Community through Ringling’s film programming. Asia in the Movies strives to deepen our understanding of Asian cultures and our community. Tickets are $15 for adults, $13.50 for members, and $10.00 for students.

[SOON]  SPORTS: Yoga at Ca' d'Zan Terrace , July 15, 7pm

Yoga Instructor Ashley Stewart will lead a yoga session on the Ca' d'Zan Terrace. Each session will last one hour, and participants may begin entering 30 minutes prior to the event. Participants should bring a yoga mat and water or drink as desired.

Thursday, Jul 15 @ 7:00 PM

 

The Ringling Museum , 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: Manatee Performing Arts Center: Roald Dahl's Matilda Jr. the Musical , July 16 – July 17, 7pm and 11am

Rebellion is nigh in Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical Jr., a gleefully witty ode to the anarchy of childhood and the power of imagination that will be showing on July 16 at 7pm and 17 at 11am. This story of a girl who dreams of a better life and the children she inspires will have audiences rooting for the “revolting children” who are out to teach the grown-ups a lesson. Matilda has astonishing wit, intelligence… and special powers. She’s unloved by her cruel parents but impresses her schoolteacher, the highly loveable Miss Honey. Matilda’s school life isn’t completely smooth sailing, however – the school’s mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, hates children and just loves thinking up new punishments for those who don’t abide by her rules. But Matilda has courage and cleverness in equal amounts, and could be the school pupils’ saving grace. Packed with high-energy dance numbers and catchy songs, Matilda JR. is a joyous girl power romp. Children and adults alike will be thrilled and delighted by the story of the special little girl with an extraordinary imagination.

[SOON]  FILM: The Ringling: On Screen: Raya and the Last Dragon , July 16, 6:30pm

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Raya and the Last Dragon travels to the fantasy world of Kumandra, where humans and dragons lived together in harmony long ago. But when an evil force threatened the land, the dragons sacrificed themselves to save humanity. Now, 500 years later, that same evil has returned and it’s up to a lone warrior, Raya, to track down the legendary last dragon to restore the fractured land and its divided people. However, along her journey, she’ll learn that it’ll take more than a dragon to save the world—it’s going to take trust and teamwork as well. Raya and the Last Dragon features the voices of Kelly Marie Tran as Raya, a warrior whose wit is as sharp as her blade, and Awkwafina as the magical, mythical, self-deprecating dragon named Sisu. Characters also include a street-savvy 10-year-old entrepreneur named Boun, the formidable giant Tong and a thieving toddler Noi with her band of Ongis. This film is Rated PG. Audience members are invited to participate in a post film conversation around themes from the film with Anna Green. Join us at 6:30pm on July 16 for big-screen movie magic in the Historic Asolo Theater. July is dedicated to Asia in the Movies, an ongoing series of film screenings and conversations showcasing a broad range of films and filmmakers from across Asia and the Asian diaspora. The initiative celebrates established and emerging voices, contemporary films and classics, animated films, as well as documentaries. The series builds on The Ringling’s mission to represent and center diverse voices and celebrate various cultures, as well as to become a space for relevant conversations around current social and political topics. For her final project, Anna Green, the performance Intern from New College of Florida has thoughtfully selected films for a series that educates, provides opportunity for conversation, and fosters understanding. We recommit to our values of equity, to providing a space for representation, and to highlighting the diversity and beauty of the Asian Community through Ringling’s film programming. Asia in the Movies strives to deepen our understanding of Asian cultures and our community. Tickets are $15 for adults, $13.50 for members, and $10.00 for students.

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: Pages & Popsicles Open House , July 16, 10am-12pm

Visit the Manatee County Agricultural Museum and Palmetto Historical Park at 515 10th Ave. West, Palmetto, for their Pages & Popsicles Open House on Friday, July 16, from 10 am to 12 pm. The Ag Museum will be celebrating the launch of their new Little Free Library with a ribbon-cutting at 10:15 AM.  Children and adults will be able to take home a book from the little library and if visitors have books at home that they would like to donate to share with others, please bring them along to add to the library. Free popsicles will be distributed during the open house. Palmetto Historical Park will be conducting a tour of their historical buildings at 11:00 and a craft activity will be available on the grounds or to take home. A story time will be held at 10:30, 11:00, and 11:30 in the Chapel featuring the book, “Little Libraries, Big Heroes,” by Miranda Paul.

Manatee County Agricultural Museum and Palmetto Historical Park, 515 10th Ave. West, Palmetto

[SOON]  GALLERY: Here Comes the Sun: A Regional Juried Exhibition , July 23 – July 20, 6-8pm

This regional exhibition, juried by Savannah Magnolia, showcases the wide-ranging talents of regionally based artists. Art Center Sarasota's 2021 exhibition season continues with Here Comes the Sun, a juried exhibition showcasing the wide-ranging talents of regional artists, July 23-August 20. An opening reception will take place on Friday, July 23, 6-8 pm. The juror is Tampa-based artist and first-place recipient of the Kennedy Center’s 2020 VSA Emerging Artists Award, Savannah Magnolia. A call for artists to submit work in all mediums is ongoing through July 4.

Art Center Sarasota, 707 North Tamiami Trail., Sarasota

[SOON]  HEALTH: St. Armands Circle: Sol of the Circle: Breathe: An Outdoor Yoga Series , June 9 – September 8, 6pm-7pm

Life on the Circle only gets better when days are bathed in the summer sun. Enjoy a breath of fresh air and immerse yourself in the perfect setting for adventure and fun. Join us for the “Sol of the Circle,” a series of special events for the entire family. Breathe: An Outdoor Yoga Series will take place every second Wednesday from 6pm to 7pm. Dates are June 9, July 14, August 11, and September 8.

[SOON]  GALLERY: Artists in Conversation: “Identity in Art” with Hermitage Fellows Diedrick Brackens, Autumn Knight, Robert Pruitt , August 6, 6:30pm

An evening at the Hermitage Artist Retreat on the beach will include conversations with artists Deidrick Brackens, Autumn Knight and Robert Pruitt. Presented in partnership with Art Center Sarasota, this event will offer an intimate and candid look into their creative process, exploring themes of identity in their work.

The Hermitage Artist Retreat , 6630 Manasota Key Rd., Englewood

[SOON]  : Sarasota Music Festival Streaming , June 24 – July 24

The Sarasota Orchestra is re-imagining its Music Festival this year, the event includes socially distanced live performances by faculty and former fellows. Starting June 24, audience members who purchase streaming access will be able to watch the festival's five events at any time. Events include, Voices of the Violin, The Romantic Revolution, Majestic Cello, Dedications and Calidore Quartet.

 

Sarsota Orchestra , Virtual

SRQ Media Group

SRQ DAILY is produced by SRQ | The Magazine. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and in the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. Senior Editor Jacob Ogles edits the Saturday Perspective Edition, Letters and Guest Contributor columns.In the CocoTele department, SRQ DAILY is providing excerpts from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. The views expressed by individuals are their own and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Ashley Ryan Cannon at 941-365-7702 x211 or via email

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