The Lens – When No Means Yes & Yes Means No
St. Pete To Vote August 27 

When it comes to The Lens, confusion is the only thing in focus.

On Tuesday, August 27, City of St. Petersburg voters will determine whether to build “The Lens” or begin again the process of designing and building its replacement.

The Lens Design

Since 1889, “The Pier” has been a popular destination for locals and tourists on St. Petersburg’s bay front. Originally built by the Orange Belt Railway as a downtown, waterfront tourist attraction, The Pier became an immediate hit. Since its debut 124 years ago, what over the years has been referred to as the Railroad Pier, the Electric Pier, the Municipal Pier, the Million Dollar Pier and now simply The Pier, has been rebuilt no less than four times.

Today, 40-years since its last reconstruction, The Pier is literally disintegrating, and a permit for its demolition is already in place. In 2005, the City of St. Petersburg dedicated $50 million for The Pier’s replacement. Estimates indicate that replacing and renovating the existing structure, aka “The Inverted Pyramid,” could cost taxpayers about $70 million. Since May 31, The Pier has been officially closed to the public.

Few disagree that the time has come to rebuild The Pier. The problem, however, is what to build in its place.

That issue may or may not be settled by St. Petersburg’s registered voters on August 27.

Vote “NO” To Keep The Lens

On one side of the issue is the “Build The Pier” group that believes St. Petersburg should construct a design by Michael Maltzan Architecture, Inc., popularly referred to as “The Lens,” which was approved by the City Council on May 17, 2012, following an international design competition and years of public input and debate. Proponents argue that aside from the innovative and controversial sculptural design of The Lens, the new pier will be rich in amenities such as restaurants, a floating dock/marina, an open-air amphitheater, ice cream shop, fishing areas, etc., and will become a widely recognizable symbol that will generate new tourism while helping move the city forward.

Vote “YES” To Stop The Lens

On the other side of the issue are the “Stop The Lens” group and St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster’s “828 Alliance.” Both factions believe the existing architect/engineering agreement between Maltzan’s firm and the city needs to be immediately terminated, and a new design competition commissioned with a review panel selected to make the final decision on what to build. It’s taken over three years to get to this point after public input, city council hearings, design competitions and jury reviews. Assuming it will arguably take at least as long for the second round to run its course, The Pier, as it currently stands, i.e. closed, could remain in its current state into 2016 or 2017, that’s if anyone can agree on a design.

At stake is whether to stay with the Michael Maltzan design, and build The Lens, or fire Maltzan’s firm and begin the design and review process all over again. The confusion about to how to vote comes from the wording of the ordinance before voters.

Simply put, if voters want to retain Maltzan’s firm and move forward with The Lens, they need to vote “no,” but if they want to fire Maltzan’s firm, stop the lens and begin a new design competition, they need to vote “yes.”

Following is the wording of the ordinance before St. Petersburg voters August 27:

“Shall an ordinance be added to the City of St. Petersburg’s existing ordinances that would require the City to send a notice of termination, within five business days of the effective date of the ordinance, to Michael Maltzan Architecture, Inc. to terminate the existing architect/engineering agreement between the City of St. Petersburg and Michael Maltzan Architecture, Inc. which agreement was approved by City Council Resolution Number 2012-233 on May 17, 2012?”

So a “no” vote sends the signal that yes, voters want to retain Maltzan and build The Lens, while a “yes” vote indicates that voters say no to Maltzan’s agreement and The Lens design. What could be clearer?

If you are a registered City of St. Petersburg voter, please be sure to voice your opinion August 27, and help St. Petersburg move forward, one way or the other.

The Lens Vote August 27. Just Vote!

Ready… Set…
Back To School…
Key School-Calendar Dates For Pinellas, Hillsborough & Pasco

Can summer possibly move any faster? Seems like just yesterday kids all over the St. Petersburg-Tampa area were yelling and screaming for joy over school being out and summer vacation beginning. Could there be a better time to be a kid? Lately though, those smiling faces that are used to sleeping late, hanging out with friends and enjoying a break from school are looking a bit grim at the prospect of going back to class and hitting the books. Can’t blame them. However, there does seem to be a lightness, returning smiles and a bit of joy all their own for parents of returning school kids. It’s all about balance.

In case you missed it, here are some key school-calendar dates by county for the beginning of the 2013-2014 school year:

 Pinellas County Schools:

• August 20 – All schools open. All Pre-K and postsecondary schools’ classes begin.
• September 2 – Labor Day, schools closed.
• September 14 – Development Day, schools closed.
• October 19 – Development Day, schools closed.
• November 19 – Development Day, schools closed.
• November 20 – Development Day, schools closed.
• November 21-23 – Thanksgiving Holidays, schools closed.
• December 24-January 4 – Winter Holidays, schools closed.

 Hillsborough County Schools:

• August 20 – All schools open.
• September 2 – Labor Day, schools closed.
• October 21 – Non-Student Day.
• November 11 – Veteran’s Day, non-student day.
• November 25-29 – Fall Break, schools closed.
• December 23-January 3 – Winter Break, schools closed.

Pasco County Schools:

• August 19 – All schools open.
• September 2 – Labor Day, schools closed.
• October 21 – Planning Day, schools closed.
• November 11 – Veterans Day, schools closed.
• November 27-29 – Thanksgiving Break, schools closed.
• December 23-January 3 – Winter Break, schools closed.

If you’re a parent of a school-age child, help your student make the most of their educational experience this coming year. If you’re student, ditto.

Strengthen St. Petersburg’s Economy By Buying Locally

One of the essential factors that contribute to the City of St. Petersburg’s unique character is the wealth of independent, locally owned businesses that have opened and come to thrive in recent years. It makes St. Pete vibrant and colorful, fun, entertaining, delicious, inviting and economically successful.

Today’s St. Pete is not the same old same old, it’s a collection of one-of-a-kind originality that strengthens the local economy and the community.

Keep Saint Petersburg Local Promotes Business And Community

Keep Saint Petersburg Local is a grass roots organization formed in 2011 comprised of independent business owners working together to nurture the city’s entrepreneurial spirit, support the interests of its local, privately owned businesses, promote diversity of choices and encourages prosperity throughout the community.

Their Mission: “Keep Saint Petersburg Local is a non-profit organization, affiliated with the American Independent Business Alliance, working to build a thriving local economy and a unique community. We do this by nurturing connections for, and acting as the voice of locally-owned, independent businesses and by raising awareness of the importance of buying local.”

According to Keep Saint Petersburg Local, “every dollar spent with locally-owned businesses generates over three times the local economic impact as compared to spending with national chains.”

To help achieve their goals, Keep Saint Petersburg Local works closely with government officials and the media to help promote the city’s privately owned businesses. They also provide educational forums that create opportunities for members to share ideas, skills and resources. Additionally, they pool their purchasing power and creativity to negotiate lower prices and create co-op advertising promotions.

Educating the public about the value of doing business with locally owned, independent businesses is an integral part of their mission. It helps promote recognition and support for the area’s private enterprises, and promotes Saint Petersburg as a lively and distinctive shopping, dining, entertainment and tourist destination.

8 Reasons Why Keep Saint Petersburg Local Matters:

1. Keeps money re-circulating in Saint Petersburg.
2. Keeps Saint Petersburg remarkable by promoting the city’s unique character.
3. Creates jobs. Small businesses are the largest employers nationally. [Read more…]

Visit the debut of the Brocante Vintage Market on August 3 & 4.

Hounchell & Associates Shopping Tip:
Brocante To Offer Unique Vintage Shopping Experience in St. Pete Two Days Each Month

An interesting new twist in shopping for vintage goods is coming to the St. Petersburg-Tampa area Brocante Vintage Market is a 15,000 square foot indoor “street” market featuring multiple vendors, each with their own style and panache. What’s unique is that Brocante (pronounced Broh-cahnt) will only be open two days on the first weekend of each month!

Brocante is French for “secondhand,” but its promoters advise shoppers to forget what they know about run of the mill flea markets and expect instead a unique shopping destination, and a refreshing, fun monthly vintage shopping experience.

Brocante’s Debuts August 3 & 4 Downtown St. Pete

Brocante is located in a former piano warehouse in downtown St. Petersburg’s Warehouse District at 2200 2^nd Ave. S. Doors will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. both days each month. Those needing an antique shopping fix the other days of the month are advised by organizers to shop their sister store, Paper Street Market, located in downtown St. Petersburg at 915 Central Avenue. Paper Street is open seven days each week.

Vendors actually run the market at Brocante. Each of the dozens of vendors taking part are hand selected for the quality and variety of the vintage items they have for sale, offering a wealth of choices for the public. Vendors also run the cash registers, wrap and bag goods, assist customers searching for something specific and help load larger items at the pick up station. Their goal is to create a smoothly running operation and a cohesive shopping experience.

Vendors interested in becoming part of Brocante need to fill out a Brocanteurs form to be considered.

Happy shopping everyone!

Happy Fourth of July!

Fly Your Flags Pinellas & Hillsborough Counties

Get out the bunting and fly your flags. Clean the grill. Make sure the pool is ready. Cut the grass, dig out your red, white and blue outfits and make plans to enjoy one of the best holidays of the year. July 4 is almost upon us and you want to be ready.

To help make the most of the upcoming July 4 holiday throughout the St. Petersburg – Tampa area and, for some, a well deserved long weekend, here is the lowdown on what’s happening throughout the Bay Area.

Pinellas County Fourth Of July Events:

St. Petersburg’s fireworks are set to go off at 9 p.m. from Spa Beach, 615 Second Ave., N, adjacent to The Pier. The waterfront parks will be perfect viewing areas, as will the approach to The Pier. For additional information, please call (727) 893-7465.

Gulfport will hold their Waterfront Arts celebration, including a fishing derby for kids, a family sand sculpting contest and a wealth of arts and crafts. Activities begin at 2 p.m. in Gulfport’s historic Waterfront Arts District, 3129 Beach Blvd. S. For more info, call (727) 322-5217. Fireworks will begin at 9 p.m.

Clearwater plans to Celebrate America with a live concert, games for kids of all ages and a variety of vendors. Activities will begin at 4 p.m. at Coachman Park, 301 Drew St., and fireworks will start at 9:30 p.m.

On Treasure Island, The Fourth’s fun begins at noon and features food and crafts, a variety of kid’s activities and live music. Fireworks will start at 9 p.m. at Sloppy Joe’s, 10650 Gulf Blvd. For more info, please call (727) 367-1600.

In Tarpon Springs, July 4 festivities kick off at 10 a.m. and will feature a hot dog eating contest, watermelon-seed spitting contests, potato sack races, live music and fireworks off Sunset Beach at dusk. Best viewing will be from Fred Howard Beach. For more information, call (727) 942-5628.

Celebrate in Hillsborough County:

Downtown Tampa will be lit from above with Fireworks at Channelside. Best viewing will be over the Garrison Channel from Channelside Bay Plaza, The Florida Aquarium, the American Victory Ship, Yacht Starship, Cotanchobee Park, the Marriott Waterside, the Forum and Harbour Island beginning at 9 p.m. For more information, please call (813) 223-4250.

The Tampa Bay History Center will offer free admission and extra hours on July 4. Authentic Civil War, Seminole War, Spanish-American War and World War II re-enactors will be on hand beginning at 10 a.m. The Center is located at 801 Old Water St. For more information, call (813) 228-0097.

Temple Terrace’s July 4 celebration will begin at 10 a.m. with a traditional parade starting at Gillette and Whiteway roads and ending on Ridgedale near the Little League fields. Fireworks at 9 p.m. from the Temple Terrace Golf & Country Club, entertainment included. Call (813) 935-8552.

Brandon presents its Fourth of July Blast featuring live music, kid’s entertainment and fireworks at Westfield Brandon, 459 Brandon Town Center.

In Plant City, a full evening of entertainment begins at 6 p.m. at the Plant City Stadium, 1810 East Park Rd. Fireworks light off at 9:15 p.m. Call (813) 659-4200 for additional info.

Happy Fourth of July everyone!

Enjoy A Martini – Fund A Cancer Cure, Saturday, July 20

The Annual Martinis For Moffitt Benefit 

Tampa’s Moffitt Cancer Research Center wants to retire the axiom, “everyone has been touched by cancer.”

Since 2006, Martinis For Moffitt has raised nearly half a million dollars to help them find a cure for prostate cancer so this adage can be put to rest.

Each year, the exceptional staff at the Moffitt Cancer Research Center treat hundreds of prostate cancer sufferers from throughout St. Petersburg and Tampa, Florida and from across the United States. While they provide incomparable care for their patients, they’re also working tirelessly to find a cure for a disease that takes the lives of over 27,000 people each year. So, each year, Chris Hounchell & Associates and Bay Area Advisors join forces to raise funds to aid Moffitt’s cancer research. JCIII & Associates will serve again as the 2013 Presenting Sponsor.

Join us for the 8th annual Martinis For Moffitt Benefit. Only 1,000 tickets will be sold!

Martinis For Moffitt is an elegant, annual event rich in Tampa tradition combining opportunities to socialize, network, bid on fabulous auction items, enjoy delicious martinis, mouthwatering hors d’oevres and dancing into the wee hours. Eighty percent of the gross charitable donations from Martinis for Moffitt will benefit the Moffitt Cancer Center directly.

Individual tickets cost $100.00 ($125 after July 1st), and must be purchased online. Wanna know more?

Helping in a Large Way – Honoring a Survivor 

Wanna help more? Check out the individual and business sponsorship opportunities available.

Whether you sponsor a table or attend by yourself, you are helping a tremendous cause –  Martinis For Moffitt, Saturday, July 20. Be there!

We Are Tooting Our Own Horn: Keller Williams Realty Ranked Among Top Workplaces Nationally and Includes St. Petersburg-Tampa Market

People who work at Keller Williams Realty, Inc., are a very happy lot. In fact, according to the independent survey firm, WorkplaceDynamics, Keller Williams employees ranked their firm as the ninth best workplace in America, and its the only national real estate franchising company on the National Top 150 Workplaces list.

Chris Hounchell, Team Leader of Chris Hounchell & Associates, and a multi-million dollar producer who ranks among the Top 50 real estate agents locally, has been affiliated with Keller Williams since 2011. Chris is headquartered in their downtown St. Petersburg, Florida office at 111 2^nd Ave. NE, Suite 400.

Survey Says:

The WorkplaceDynamics survey was based purely on the opinions of the 1.7 million employees who worked through an employee survey measuring engagement of satisfaction and organizational health – characteristics that establish a clear direction for their future, help them to execute well and bring real meaning to their work.

This vote of confidence is a powerful indicator to shareholders, customers and the communities it serves that Keller Williams has strong values underpinning its outstanding behavior.

Keller Williams was founded in Austin, Texas in 1983, and is one of the largest real estate companies in the world. With approximately 700 offices and 80,000 associates, the rapidly growing firm is the second largest real estate franchise in the United States. The company also provides specialized agents in luxury homes and commercial real estate properties.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Express Your Adoration

St. Valentine, the patron saint of romance, has his bow and arrow aimed, and is poised to unleash a salvo of affection throughout the St. Petersburg-Tampa area in the form of love notes to beloveds, cards to special friends, flowers, personalized jewelry, gifts, champagne, chocolates, colorful sunsets and dinners out at fine restaurants complete with candlelight and the holding of hands. Consider this a gentle hint.

Don’t make the fatal mistake of forgetting to express the adoration you have for your very special loved ones on Thursday, February 14. The consequences for disregarding the date are far too hideous to describe here.

Bacon for Valentine’s?

Suggestions of gift possibilities abound. The popular magazine, Men’s Health, suggests massage oil candles that melt into silky massage oil, while that bastion of romance, The International Business Times, is suggesting women give their special man a bouquet of roses made entirely of bacon. Of course, they follow up that suggestion with something a bit more appropriate, leather, personally embossed envelope made especially for holding love letters.

However you express the love you have for that special someone, do it, and do it on (once again) Valentines Day, Thursday, February 14. Got it?

Real Estate Markets Short Sales Tax Break Extended To End Of 2013

An important part of the agreement reached by Congress January 1st preserves the 2007 Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act, keeping many short sales sellers from having to pay taxes on the difference between what they owe on their mortgage and the actual sale price.

Short sales (FAQ) are real estate transactions where lenders allow homeowners to sell homes for less than the balance of the mortgage. These sales have been an important factor in reviving the St. Petersburg-Tampa, and national, real estate markets.

Short Sales Effected by  Debt Relief Act 

The so called “fiscal cliff bill” will save many upside down homeowners thousands of dollars in taxes and could serve to further spur sales. Sellers, who before the January 1st vote were worried about the additional taxes they would have to pay, are breathing a huge sigh of relief. Buyers are also breathing easier knowing what could have been a game changer as of December 31, 2012 has been avoided for at least another year.

For example, had the Debt Relief Act expired December 31st, a homeowner in a 25 percent tax bracket who sold their home for $150,000 less than the balance of their existing mortgage could owe approximately as much as [Read more…]