Friday, November 6, 2009

ICI Homes’ Plantation Bay Golf & Country Club Welcomes More than 60 Participants in “Blast Out Cancer” Fitness Fundraiser

Ormond Beach, Fla. --- Sixty-six residents at Plantation Bay Golf & Country Club in Ormond Beach participated in the community’s “Blast Out Cancer” fitness and fundraiser recently.

Rosemary Messina, vice president of sales and marketing at ICI Homes, which is developing Plantation Bay Golf and Country Club, said 66 participants registered for the 5K walk, 10K bike ride and tennis round robin tournament.

Many residents participated in all three events, Messina said.

Robert Vilardi and Kori Dahlberg were top fundraisers during the event with a grand total of $1,590.

Raffle winners included Gloria Havlin, Sue Benoche, Kylie Dahlberg, Ed Ernst and Kim Nilsen.

The event raised more than $2,500 for the American Cancer Society.

For more information, please contact:
Lisa A. Egle, Marketing Manager ICI Homes-Daytona Beach, 386-236-4273
Rosemary Messina, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, ICI Homes, 386-236-4273
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142

ABD Development Company to start design of smaller, smarter homes at Providence and Wyndham Lakes

ORLANDO, Fla. --- ABD Development Company, which is developing the master-planned 2,200 acre Providence Golf & Country Club Community off U.S. 17-92 in the Loughman-Davenport area of Polk County, has started design work on four new smaller, smarter homes with increased energy efficiency at Heritage Green at Providence.

David Kohn, president of ABD Development Company, said four homes are in the design stage now that range from 2,433 square feet of living space to 3,510 square feet.

The new homes will be priced from $354,900 to $459,900.

ABD’s new smaller, smarter homes include:
•A four bedroom, three bath home with 2,433 square feet of living space and a lanai;
•The Portfolio home, with four bedrooms, three baths and a lanai in 2,673 square feet of space;
•The Courtyard II home, with four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a loft and a lanai in 2,684 square feet;
•The Manchester II home, with 3,510 square feet of living space, five bedrooms, four baths, a lanai and a bonus room.

At Windsor Landing at Wyndham Lakes Estates, located off Town Center and Landstar Blvds. in southeast Orlando, ABD Development Company plans to introduce two new designs that range from 2,500 square feet of space to 3,000 square feet priced from the $350s.

For more information, contact
David Kohn, President, ABD Development Company 407-370-6400
Alene Raskin, Marketing Manager, ABD Development Company 407-370-6400
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Awarded Three Contracts to Design Office/ Retail Renovations

Orlando, Fla. -- Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC, based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park, was recently awarded design of renovations and improvements on the following properties:

·The 10,500 square foot medical office interiors at Lucerne Medical Plaza in downtown Orlando. The project was awarded by Halladay Properties;

·A 1,200 square foot office/retail building on West Fairbanks Avenue in Winter Park, awarded by Brio Properties;

·The canopy at Pepper Tree Plaza, a 50,000 square foot retail center in Margate, Fla., awarded by the developer, Kimco Realty Corp.

Cuhaci & Peterson designs more than one million square feet of retail, office or mixed-use space annually.

For more information, contact:
Lonnie Peterson, Chairman Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC, 407-661-9100
Jed Downs, President Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC, 407-661-9100
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142

Ashton Woods Homes unveils three new floor plans priced from the $190s at The Landings in South Tampa

TAMPA, Fla. --- Ashton Woods Homes has introduced three new floor plans priced from the $190s at The Landings off Interbay and Westshore Blvds. in South Tampa.

Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing for Ashton Woods Homes in the Tampa Bay region, said the new floor plans range in size from 1,308 square feet of living space to 2,180 square feet.

Ashton Woods Homes is a subsidiary of the Great Gulf Group of Companies, a North American real estate conglomerate headquartered in Toronto, and currently has communities under development in Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, Phoenix, Tampa, Denver and Orlando.

For more information contact:
Michael Roche, VP Sales & Marketing Ashton Woods Homes-Tampa 407-647-3700
John Reny, President, Ashton Woods Homes-Tampa/Orlando 407-647-3700
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142

Worldwide Auction Realty Services to conduct bulk offering of home sites, partially completed luxury homes at Reunion Resort

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Worldwide Auction Realty Services has launched a bank authorized pre-foreclosure highest and best bulk sale of 25 home sites and three partially completed luxury homes at Reunion Resort, located at 7593 Gathering Drive in Reunion, off I-4 at SR 429 six miles from Walt Disney World.

Lori Chipps, auctioneer with Worldwide Auction Realty Services, said the 35 foot home sites in Patriot Landing at Reunion Resort will accommodate homes that range from 1,800 square feet of living space to 3,600 square feet.

New homes at Patriot’s Landing at Reunion Resort previously sold at prices ranging from $449,000 to $649,000, Chipps said.

Most of the available home sites and all three partially completed luxury homes overlook water, parkways and conservation areas, she said.

Reunion features three world-class golf courses designed by Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus

“We anticipate receiving strong interest from area and national home builders as well as investors from around the world, said Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, the firm representing the property.

Parties interested in submitting offers should contact Lori or Jon Chipps, directors of auction services for Worldwide Auction Realty Services. All offers will be submitted to the lender.

“We think the property will sell relatively quickly at a very attractive price,” Chipps said.

For more information about the auction or to register to bid live or online, telephone 800-327-1048 or www.WWAuctionServices.com.

For more information contact:
Jon & Lori Chipps, Worldwide Auction Realty Services, 800-327-1048;
Roger Soderstrom, Founder/Owner Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, 407-588-1260
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407.644.4142

Avalon Park Group Appoints Nationally-Renowned Interior Designer for State-of-the-Art Adult Independent, Assisted Living Facilities

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Avalon Park Group has appointed a nationally-renowned interior designer to plan interior features, appointments and color schemes in the new state-of-the-art independent adult and assisted living facilities under development in downtown Avalon Park.

Ross Halle, Town Planner at Avalon Park, said he appointed Bonnie Manson, president of Interior Design Associates, Inc., of Nashville as interior designer for the facilities.

Manson, who has more than 28 years of experience in interior design, has earned numerous national and regional design awards and specializes in adult and senior care facilities.

Avalon Park’s adult independent and assisted living facilities are scheduled to start construction next summer. The first phase, planned to be 100,000 square feet, will facilitate assisted living and memory care, and is projected to cost approximately $20 million.

“Interior design for adult living facilities is a critical element and a highly specialized skill,” Halle said.

“Color schemes, textures, furnishings and even layout are essential,” Halle added

For more information about this release, please contact:
Ross Halle, VP Architecture/Town Planner Avalon Park Group 407-658-6565
Stephanie Hodson, Marketing Coordinator, Avalon Park Group, 407-658-6565
Beat Kahli, Owner / Founder, Avalon Park Group, 407-658-6565
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142

Rhodes+Brito Architects to Design Renovations at Valencia Community College Math, Architecture Facilities

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Rhodes+Brito Architects was recently awarded contracts to design renovations of the facilities housing the Math and Architecture departments at Valencia Community College on Kirkman Rd. in west Orlando.

Ruffin Rhodes, co-founder and partner at Rhodes+Brito, said the cost of construction is estimated at $1.5 million.

Renovation work will include demolition and new finishes, lighting and ceilings in both facilities, which total 24,000 square feet of space.

Rhodes+Brito Architects recently completed renovation work on two HSB buildings at Valencia Community College, Rhodes said.

For more information contact:
Ruffin Rhodes, Rhodes+Brito Architects, 407-648-7288 ruffin@rbarchitects.com
Maximiano Brito, Rhodes+Brito Architects, 407-648-7288 max@rbarchitects.com
Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications Inc. 407-644-4142 (fax: 4410)

About Rhodes+Brito:
Rhodes+Brito Architects, which opened in Orlando in 1996, currently employs a staff of 17, including seven registered architects. The firm served as lead architect for the Florida A&M University College of Law facility in downtown Orlando.

OC Grant Consulting Schedules Second Series of Seminars for Those Interested in Attaining Non-Profit Status and Grant Funding

ORLANDO, Fla. – Olivette Carter, owner of OC Grant Consulting Associates, will present the second series of Nonprofit Capacity-Building seminars on attaining non-profit status and grant funding beginning Nov. 14 in Orlando.

The sessions will be held on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon at the Orlando Business Development Center Office, 3218 E. Colonial Drive, Suite G, Orlando 32803.

OC Grant Consulting is a client company of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program at the OBDC site, one of the program’s six business incubators throughout metro Orlando.

Carter recently held the first round of the series at the Disney Entrepreneur Center.

Participants who attended were provided with the tools needed to start up new nonprofits and to secure and maintain funding to operate effective programs, she said. Among those attending were individuals and groups interested in providing services to homeless Veterans, establishing after-school programs, and implementing volunteer recognition projects.

Designed for executives, administrators, managers and other leaders of aspiring or new faith- and community-based organizations, the second seminar series will kick off with “How to Start a Non-Profit and Obtain 501(c)3 Status” on Nov. 14.

The “how-to” seminar will be repeated on Jan. 9, said Carter, who specializes in grant proposal writing, grant review and grant writing training, as well as post-grant support.

Additional seminars scheduled are: “An Introduction to Grant Writing,” Dec. 5; “Board Development for New Non-Profits,” Jan. 23; “Program Design and Planning,” Jan. 30; and “Volunteer Management,” Feb. 6. The December introduction to grant writing session will be repeated on Feb. 20.

Each seminar is $25.00, and those who sign up for four sessions can attend the fifth one free. To register, go on-line at www.ocgrantconsulting.com or call 321-281-8346.

For more information about this release, please contact:
Olivette Carter, Owner, OC Grant Counseling, 321-281-8346 or ocgrants@obdc2.fdn.com Melissa Wasserman, OBDC Site Manager, 321-281-8384, mwasserm@mail.ucf.edu
Gordon Hogan, Director of Operations, UCF Business Incubation Program, 407-882-1157; bizdev@mail.ucf.edu
Charlene Hager-Van Dyke, Larry Vershel Communications, 386-837-8780, 407-644-4142; Lvershelco@aol.com or chagervandyke@yahoo.com

About the UCF Business Incubation Program:
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 130 emerging companies (including nearly 80 current clients) create over $500 million in annual revenue and more than 1,600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With six facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, City of Sanford and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. For more information, please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu.

NAI Realvest negotiates renewal lease agreement for nationwide manufacturer in 50,400 square foot industrial facility in south Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. -- NAI Realvest recently completed a renewal lease agreement for a 50,400 square foot industrial facility located at 7452 Presidents Drive in south Orlando.

Robert Blackwell, SIOR principal at the firm, associates Sean DuPree, CCIM and Jim Murr negotiated the transaction representing the tenant, Rehrig Pacific Holdings, Inc. the Los Angeles based plastic pallet and container manufacturer.

The landlord, AMB Property, L.P. based in Boston, was represented by Erik Schwetje of CB Richard Ellis.

About NAI Realvest:
NAI Realvest, covering all of Central Florida, is a fully integrated commercial real estate operating company specializing in brokerage, development, investment, leasing and management, consulting and research services in the U.S. and worldwide. NAI Global is an international commercial real estate network with over 325 offices spanning the globe. Since 1978, clients have built businesses on the power of NAI Global’s expanding network. Extensive services include multi-site acquisitions and dispositions, sublease, tenant representation, lease administration and audit, investment services, due diligence and related consulting and advisory services. To learn more, visit www.NAIRealvest.com.

For more information, contact:
Robert Blackwell, SIOR or Sean Dupree, CCIM or Jim Murr at NAI Realvest 407-875-9989; rblackwell@realvest.com, sdupree@realvest.com or jmurr@realvest.com

Patrick Mahoney, Chief Operating Officer, NAI Realvest 407-875-9989 pmahoney@realvest.com

Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142

Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty Named Exclusive Leasing Agents for Kirkman Plaza in Southwest Orlando

– Developer offering area’s most aggressive rental rates -

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty has been named exclusive leasing agents at Kirkman Plaza, a new 30,000 square foot, two-story office/retail building recently completed at 485 S. Kirkman Rd. in southwest Orlando.

Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, said Melissa Rodriguez, commercial property specialist in Stirling Sotheby’s Windermere-Dr. Phillips office, is principal contact for the property,

Soderstrom said the developer of the Class A building is offering some of the most aggressive rental rates in the area.

Office and retail units that range from 1,500 to 15,000 square feet are ready for tenant improvements, Rodriguez said.

Kirkman Plaza, just blocks from Universal Studios and Valencia Community College is easily accessible to S.R. 50, I-4 and the Beachline Expressway, and offers some of the lowest office lease rates in the region, Soderstrom said.

For more information contact:
Melissa Rodriguez, Stirling Sotheby's International Realty-Windermere/Dr. Phillips, 407-992-8900; agentrodriguez@earthlink.net

Roger Soderstrom, Founder & Owner, Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, 407-588-1260; rsoderstrom@stirlingsir.com

Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142 Lvershelco@aol.com

Only one luxury villa remains for sale at Villages of Royal Palm in Port Orange, says Winston-James Development Company

SOUTH DAYTONA, Fla. --- Only one completed and move-in ready luxury villa home remains for sale at The Villages of Royal Palm, the gated, maintenance free community located on Villages of Royal Palm Blvd. off Williamson Blvd. in Port Orange.

Winston Schwartz, president of Winston-James Development, Inc., which is developing the Villages of Royal Palm, said the two bedroom villa home offers 1,265 square feet of living space priced from the high $100s.

Schwartz said six ready-to-move-in single family homes are also available at The Villages of Royal Palm.

Three and four bedroom single family homes at The Villages of Royal Palm range in size from 1,500 square feet to 2,200 square feet and are priced from the low $200s.

Schwartz said single family homes currently under construction at The Villages of Royal Palm will be ready for move-in early next year.

For more information about this press release, contact:
Winston Schwartz, President, Winston-James Development, Inc. Beville Rd., South Daytona, Fla. 32119; 386-760-2555;

James Adley, Principal, Winston-James Development, Inc. 386-760-2555

Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142 lvershelco@aol.com

Lennar Starts Construction of New Model Home at Legends Golf & Country Club in Clermont

CLERMONT, Fla. --- Lennar has started construction of a new single-family model home at Legends Golf & Country Club, located on U.S. 27 three miles south of S.R. 50 at on Glenraven Lane in Clermont.

David Parker, vice president of sales and marketing for Lennar in the Orlando region, said the Lincoln model home will open before the end of November.

The 2,433 square foot model home offers four bedrooms, three baths and a three-car garage.
New single-family homes at Legends Golf & Country Club range in size from 2,267 square feet to 4,846 square feet and are priced from the $200s.

Legends Golf & Country Club features an 18-hole, par 72 championship golf course designed by Lloyd Clifton, with an expansive clubhouse and Legend Grille and Tavern overlooking the first hole and serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, a pro shop, and the Resident’s Club, with a heated pool and spa, a children’s pool, state-of-the-art fitness center, sauna and locker rooms, and separate media and event rooms.

For more information contact
David Parker, VP Sales & Marketing Lennar-Orlando Region, 888-317-7489
Jassy Friddle, Marketing Manager Lennar-Central Florida, 888-317-7489
Mark Metheny, Lennar Division President-Central Florida, 727-479-1700
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142

Volusia County Law Firm of Rue & Ziffra Sponsors Benefit “Ride Like an Eagle” Motorcycle Tour through Seminole/Orange Counties

SANFORD - The highways and by-ways of Central Florida will be filled with the sounds of motorcycles next Sunday 11-15 as bikers from far and near participate in the “Ride Like an Eagle” bike run to benefit a local charity that helps support overseas military personnel.

Presented by SUNNY Radio 105.9, the run is a benefit for Operation ShoeBox, a charitable organization that sends support, snacks and personal care items to American troops deployed outside of the United States, according to Shane Snipescq, Promotions/Advertising Director for the Port Orange-based law firm of Rue & Ziffra, sponsors of the event.

The run will begin at the Seminole Harley-Davidson in Sanford and end at the Steve Miller Band / George Thorogood Show at the University of Central Florida in Orlando with a percentage of the $25 entry fees being donated to Operation ShoeBox, Snipes said.

“The run is already sold out, but donations are still being accepted,” he said. “Operation ShoeBox encourages everyone to make a tax-deductible donation or take the time to send their own care package to our troops.”

For more information on the ride and concert events or the collection for Operation ShoeBox, contact SUNNY Radio at www.sunny1059.com or 407-919-1000.

About Rue & Ziffra:
Founded by John D. Rue and Allan L. Ziffra, the personal-injury law firm of Rue & Ziffra has served the Central Florida community for more than 25 years. The firm’s commitment to its profession and its clients has earned it a reputation as one of the top personal-injury law firms in Central Florida. Known for handling everything from automobile and motorcycle accidents to medical malpractice, wrongful death, and social security and disability cases, Rue & Ziffra has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients and their families. With a staff of eight attorneys, the firm maintains offices in Port Orange and Orange City.

For more information about this release, please contact:
Allan L. Ziffra, President, Rue & Ziffra, 386-788-7700 or allanz@rueziffra.com
Shane Snipes, Promotions/Advertising Director, Rue & Ziffra, 386-788-7700 or shanes@rueziffra.com
Charlene Hager-Van Dyke, Larry Vershel Communications, 386-532-8862, 407-644-4142 or chagervandyke@yahoo.com or Lvershelco@aol.com

Florida Petroleum Marketers Association Launches Grassroots Effort to Educate Lawmakers about Trust Fund Environmental Risks

MOUNT DORA, Fla. --- The Florida Petroleum Marketers Association (FPMA) and its Environmental Committee launched a grassroots effort to educate Florida legislators and the community about the dire environmental consequences of recent budgetary decisions that all but eliminate the trust fund, which is used to remediate contaminated sites and protect Florida’s water and citizens.

Irvin Heath, President of HCR (Handex Consulting and Remediation LLC, based in Mount Dora), said “this could wreak havoc on the Florida environment resulting in serious current and future health problems.”

Florida legislators recently swept all funding over $200 million from the Florida Inland Petroleum Trust Fund (IPTF), which was established to fund environmental cleanups of petroleum contamination from fuel storage tanks, not just those at retail service stations. The previous year’s funding was $153 million.

“We are convinced that Florida lawmakers are unaware of the disastrous short and long term consequences of not funding the cleanup program,” Heath said.

“The danger to the Florida environment, particularly the water source for Florida (the aquifer), is enormous, and clearly the Florida legislature may shortchange future generations of Floridians by limiting the cleanup funding program,” Heath said.

Petroleum companies contribute to the IPTF via the collection of a per barrel tax on all product shipped into the state and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection administers cleanup activities.

“Without the FIPTF, the environmental cleanup of petroleum leaks and spills may be delayed and could be virtually stopped statewide,” Heath said. “Work on several thousand sites where pollution is the most dangerous is being delayed, and that could have disastrous consequences on the dollars already spent and on future generations of Florida citizens,” he added.

In addition, some remediation systems are being mothballed and taken out of operation. This may result in the contamination spreading, possibly going off site, and significantly increasing the danger and use of these systems in the future when additional money may be required to protect and perform maintenance on these systems.

“Citizens and FPMA members are urged to contact their local legislators, visit Tallahassee, write emails, organize seminars and form alliances with other environmental advocacy groups to drive the message to protect the FIPTF, Florida’s waters, and its citizens,” Heath said.

“We need a full-time, full-court press to urge legislators to take another look at this dangerous situation,” Heath said.

For more information contact:
Irvin R. Heath, President-elect FPMA/Chair, Environmental Committee, and President, HCR (Handex Consulting and Remediation, LLC), 352-735-1800 ext. 127, IHeath@handexmail.com

Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142, Lvershelco@aol.com

About HCR:
HCR is headquartered in Mount Dora with offices in Tallahassee, Tampa, Delray, Fla. and in central New Jersey. HCR has over 120 employees serving clients that range from state environmental protection agencies, industrial and commercial firms to some of the largest U.S. major and independent oil corporations and convenience store operators. Due to potential stimulus project work, HCR is also focused on providing services to the transportation and construction business sectors. As HCR’s record shows, the company can perform all environmental component work.

Stirling Sotheby’s Commercial Group Negotiates New Long-Term Lease at Lexington Park in Sanford

SANFORD, Fla. --- Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty Commercial Group, recently negotiated a new 10-year lease agreement at Lexington Park, located off S.R. 46 and Mangoustine Ave. adjacent to Central Florida Regional Hospital in Sanford.

Frank Dever, managing director of Stirling Sotheby’s Commercial Group, negotiated the lease agreement representing both the landlord, Lexington Real Estate Developers, LLC and the new tenant, Brisson Funeral Home, Inc.

Brisson leased 4,251 square feet of space for a funeral home at 710 Lexington Green Lane which will open in January 2010.

For more information, please contact:
Frank Dever, Managing Director, Stirling Sotheby’s Commercial Group 407-571-2234
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142

Mattamy Homes US Group Introduces Mortgage Protection Plan at Circle Cross Ranch in Queen’s Creek

TEMPE, Ariz. – Mattamy Homes, the U.S. division of Canada’s largest homebuilder, has introduced a Mortgage Protection Plan that could provide up to six months of mortgage payments for home owners at Circle Cross Ranch located north of Skyline Drive between N. Gantzel and N. Gary Roads in San Tan Valley (Queen Creek).

Carolyn Morrison, vice president of operations at Mattamy Homes, said the Mortgage Protection Plan offers new home buyers up to six months of mortgage payments over a 24-month period if economic conditions result in hardships that make mortgage payments impossible.

“For new home buyers who are concerned about making a purchase because of the uncertain economy, we have the answer,” Morrison said.

Security engineer Brad Belsaas, who closed on his new home in Circle Cross Ranch the end of October, said Mattamy’s Mortgage Protection Plan offer was an unexpected and pleasant surprise.

“I can’t put a price tag on the peace of mind provided by having back-up protection like this for two years,” Belsaas said. “It’s the icing on the cake of my home buying experience with Mattamy Homes,” he added.

The Mortgage Protection Program is provided by The Rainy Day Foundation (www.rainydayfoundation.org) and Mattamy Homes’ lender partner, Arizona-based Shelter Mortgage will assist all interested buyers in applying for the program, Morrison said.

Mattamy Homes’ Arizona division office is located at 4041 S. McClintock Drive in Tempe. For more information, call 480-302-6080 or visit www.mattamyhomes.com.

For more information contact:
Carolyn Morrison, VP Operations, Mattamy Homes USA 480-302-6080, Carolyn.Morrison@mattamyhomes.com

Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142 lvershelco@aol.com

Grubb & Ellis|Commercial Florida Negotiates New Lease Agreement with Brevard's Largest Physicians Group for 10,500SF Industrial/Office Facility

MELBOURNE, Fla. --- Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida, associated with 130 offices worldwide, recently negotiated a lease agreement for a 10,500 square foot industrial/office facility at 1575 NASA Blvd. in Melbourne.

Scot W. Marschang, broker associate with the Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida Industrial Group, negotiated the transaction representing the landlord, C&L Investment Properties, Inc. of Oakland Park, Fla.

The tenant, Melbourne Internal Medical Associates (MIMA), Brevard’s largest independent physicians group, leased the property for a purchasing and maintenance facility, which is conveniently located to its new headquarters on Gateway Drive.

Marschang, who has more than 20 years of experience in property owner and medical office tenant representation, said he knew the MIMA organization, which is widely serving the area, would be a good fit.

Contact:Scot W. Marschang, Broker Associate, 2108 W. New Haven Avenue, West Melbourne, FL 32904, 321.984.1957

Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida:
Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida is an affiliated commercial real estate services firm specializing in the leasing and sale of office, industrial, retail, land and investment properties. Currently Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida has 40 brokers divided among its Orlando, Tampa and Melbourne offices to serve the entire mid-Florida marketplace.

About Grubb & Ellis:
Named to The Global Outsourcing 100™ in 2009 by the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals™, Grubb & Ellis Company (NYSE: GBE) is one of the largest and most respected commercial real estate services and investment companies in the world. Our 6,000 professionals in more than 130 company-owned and affiliate offices draw from a unique platform of real estate services, practice groups and investment products to deliver comprehensive, integrated solutions to real estate owners, tenants and investors. The firm’s transaction, management, consulting and investment services are supported by highly regarded proprietary market research and extensive local expertise. Through its investment subsidiaries, the company is a leading sponsor of real estate investment programs that provide individuals and institutions the opportunity to invest in a broad range of real estate investment vehicles, including public non-traded real estate investment trusts (REITs), tenant-in-common (TIC) investments suitable for tax-deferred 1031 exchanges, mutual funds and other real estate investment funds. For more information, visit www.grubb-ellis.com.

Plainvue Software, Inc. Releases Newest Video Game to Teach Kids Math Skills

ORLANDO, Fla., --- Plainvue Software, Inc., an independent video game studio based in Orlando, has released Fraction’s Kitchen™ , the third in a series of video games designed to sharpen the math skills of late elementary and middle school students.

Daniel Roy, chief executive officer of Plainvue Software, Inc., said the new game is part of Plainvue’s Order of the Abacus™ series of games available for download at the Apple iTunes Store for iPhone and iPod Touch.

“Fraction's Kitchen™ reinforces pre-algebra topics, quantities and manipulation of fractions,” Roy explained.

Plainvue’s Order of the Abacus™ games create a math-centric world wherein Minjas™ (math Ninjas) compete to solve math problems.

In Fraction’s Kitchen™ , players enter Minja™ kitchen, where they help Chef Fraction create meals, measuring, chopping, mixing and kneading with new and engaging game controls unique to the Order of the Abacus™ game series.

“Successful recipe preparation requires the player to identify fractions and calculate ingredients using regular and mixed fractions,” Roy explained.

“Understanding fractions and developing computational skills are significant challenges for middle-school kids,” Roy said. “Fraction’s Kitchen™ engages them in the identification and manipulation of fractions to increase their familiarity with symbolic representation linked to region, length and set models,” he said.

Fraction’s Kitchen™ is available as Fraction's Kitchen Lite, a free version available for 60 days at the iTunes Store, Roy said.

A paid version ($1.99) will be released before Christmas at the iTunes Store.
Earlier, Plainvue Software released Order of the Abacus™ games Chainshooter™, which teaches math orders of operations, and Fortune's Prime™, which teaches prime numbers.

For more information about Plainvue’s Order of the Abacus™ games for late elementary and middle school students, visit www.orderoftheabacus.com.

Plainvue is a client of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program in the Central Florida Research Park in east Orlando.

For more information, contact:
Daniel Roy, CEO, Plainvue Software, Inc., 407-277-2973, droy@plainvuesoftware.com
Carol Ann Dykes, Site Manager, UCF Business Incubation Program, 407-882-0211, cdykes@mail.ucf.edu
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142 or LvershelCo@aol.com

About the UCF Incubation Program:
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 130 emerging companies (including nearly 80 current clients) create over $500 million in annual revenue and more than 1600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With six facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, The City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. For more information, please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu.

Move to Strip Cleanup Funds from IPTF Budget Could Generate Economic Havoc


MOUNT DORA, Fla. --- A cost-cutting move by Florida legislators to strip $200 million from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Inland Protection Trust Fund (IPTF) could prove disastrous, says one of the state’s leading experts on environmental protection and cleanups.

Irvin Heath, President of HCR (Handex Consulting and Remediation, LLC) based in Mount Dora, said the economic consequences of sweeping the funds are disastrous to our environmental protection efforts.

“The Inland Protection Trust Fund (IPTF) pays for cleanup of contaminated sites where petroleum products have leaked into the environment,” Heath explained. “In many cases, the environmental consequences are dire---pollution may contaminate the aquifer from which Florida receives its drinking water,” he said.

But the economic consequences are just as dire,” said Heath. “Although we have received preliminary approval to fund the program with a $90 Million bond – with a cost of $10.2 million to service the debt on that bond – we are fearful as we do not know if they will sweep the fund again next year, causing further cleanup delays and the spread of contamination,” he added.

“If the sites can’t be cleaned, it means property transfers may be delayed and economic transactions will be postponed or canceled. Some businesses will continue to lay off employees and others may close,” Heath said.

“I know legislators are in a difficult position due to today’s economic pressures trying to balance budgets and meet the needs of education and other citizen programs while tax receipts are down,” Heath said. “But the sacrifice in this case may be too great. We are jeopardizing the health of our waters, our children and the economy, and that’s not good,” he said.

Heath said he is busy working with his member teams and simultaneously contacting legislators, while trying to educate the public about the consequences of these funds being cut.

“I don’t believe the legislators understand how serious this is,” Heath said. “We are optimistic that once they understand the full implications of what they are doing they will adjust their strategy. We encourage all citizens to understand this issue and to contact their local legislators to secure their support,” he added.

For more information contact:
Irvin Heath, President, HCR (Handex Consulting & Remediation, LLC), 352-735-1800 ext. 127, IHeath@handexmail.com
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142, Lvershelco@aol.com

About HCR:
HCR is headquartered in Mount Dora with offices in Tallahassee, Tampa, Delray, Fla. and in central New Jersey. HCR has over 160 employees serving clients that range from state environmental protection agencies, industrial and commercial firms to some of the largest U.S. major and independent oil corporations and convenience store operators. Due to potential stimulus project work, HCR is also focused on providing services to the transportation and construction business sectors. As HCR’s record shows, the company can perform all environmental component work.

Industry-Leading Linux-Based Cluster Computing Company Rebrands, Relaunches as Sabalcore Computing, Inc.

ORLANDO, Fla., --- Tsunamic Technologies, Inc. is rebranding itself and relaunching as Sabalcore Computing, Inc.

Located in East Orange County, the company, which provides Linux-based cluster computing power to large-scale users such as the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command, secured the Sabalcore.com web domain and recently relaunched itself as Sabalcore, Inc.

Sabalcore’s cluster computing networks link hundreds of Linux-based computers to provide enormous online computing power to large-scale users at a fraction of the cost of in-house solutions, explained John Van Workum, president and chief executive officer.

"We chose to rename our company to more accurately reflect the Company's current growth, mission and vision for future growth and to clearly communicate our commitment to our customers. The name ‘Sabalcore’ is derived from the CPU ‘core’ found in modern processors and the ‘Sabal’ Palm tree which is indigenous to Florida and is remarkably steadfast, resistant to fire, floods, cold, high winds and drought. By aligning our corporate name with our core business offering, we are communicating to the investment community and customers the Company's ongoing focus of quality service and performance,” Van Workum explained.

Recently, Sabalcore won a major contract from the U.S. Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) Geophysics Branch at China Lake, located in the northeast of California's Mojave Desert, to provide computing time that powers weather modeling and analysis in support of the Navy’s global battlefield operations.

“Sabalcore’s cluster computing networks were specifically designed to provide the enormous volume of computing power such complex calculations require,” Van Workum said.

Sabalcore’s high performance computing networks have played a key role in weather prediction, computer aided engineering, oil exploration, market analysis, genomics, helping communities predict the spread of infectious diseases, and modeling the benefits and effects of experimental pharmaceuticals.

Sabalcore Computing Inc. is a client company of the University of Central Florida’s Business Incubation Program in the Central Florida Research Park in east Orlando.

For more information contact:
John D. Van Workum, President Sabalcore Computing, Inc. 877-492-8027; john@sabalcore.com
Carol Ann Dykes, Site Manager, UCF Business Incubator – Central Florida Research Park, 407-882-0211, cdykes@mail.ucf.edu
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142 or LVershelCo@aol.com

About the UCF Incubation Program:
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 130 emerging companies (including nearly 80 current clients) create over $500 million in annual revenue and more than 1600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With six facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, The City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. For more information, please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu.

BDG Construction Services Awarded Contract to Complete Interior Construction of Scottrade Offices in Ormond Beach

WINTER SPRINGS, Fla. --- BDG Construction Services, LLC based in Winter Springs, was recently awarded a contract to complete interior construction of the Scottrade offices located on W. Grenada Rd. in Ormond Beach.

Kevin Guffee, a principal at BDG Construction Services, LLC, said the 2,000 square foot tenant buildout will take approximately 30 days to complete at an estimated cost of $18 per square foot.

BDG renovates and builds commercial facilities throughout Florida. Recent clients include The City of Winter Springs, Calvert Manufacturing of Longwood, Wal-mart Stores of Bentonville, Ark. and RP Realty Partners of Beverly Hills, Calif.

BDG Construction is a client company of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program located at the Seminole County/Winter Springs Incubator on E. State Road 434 in Winter Springs.

For more information, contact:
Kevin Guffee, Principal, BDG Construction Services, LLC, 407-951-7451, kguffee@bdgcs.com
Esther Vargas-Davis, Site Manager, UCF Incubator-Seminole County, 407-278-4881, evargasd@mail.ucf.edu
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142

About the UCF Incubation Program:
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 130 emerging companies (including nearly 80 current clients) create over $500 million in annual revenue and more than 1600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With six facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, The City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. For more information, please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu.

NAI Realvest Negotiates Long Term Lease for 27,560 square feet of Office Space at Florida Central Commerce Park in Longwood

MAITLAND, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated a new six-year lease agreement for 27,560 square feet of office space at 1124 Florida Central Parkway in the Florida Central Commerce Park off S.R. 434 in Longwood.

Robert Blackwell, SIOR principal at the firm, and associates Jim Murr and Sean DuPree CCIM, negotiated the transaction representing the landlord, Chicago-based G&G partners, LLC.

The new tenant is IDEX Corp., headquartered in Northbrook, Ill. The company specializes in highly engineered fluid dispensing and metering technologies and is known worldwide for its expertise in fire and safety products. Joe Hills of Coughlin Commercial represented IDEX in the transaction.

For more information, contact:
Robert Blackwell, SIOR, Sean DuPree, CCIM or Jim Murr, NAI Realvest 407-875-9989; or rblackwell@realvest.com; sdupree@realvest.com; jmurr@realvest.com
Patrick Mahoney, President, NAI Realvest 407-875-9989 pmahoney@realvest.com
Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142, lvershelco@aol.com

About NAI Realvest:
NAI Realvest in Orlando, covering all of Central Florida, is a fully integrated commercial real estate operating company specializing in brokerage, development, investment, leasing and management, consulting and research services in the U.S. and worldwide. NAI Global is an international commercial real estate network with over 325 offices spanning the globe. Since 1978, clients have built businesses on the power of NAI Global’s expanding network. Extensive services include multi-site acquisitions and dispositions, sublease, tenant representation, lease administration and audit, investment services, due diligence and related consulting and advisory services. To learn more, visit www.NAIRealvest.com.

Pizzuti Solutions Completes $450,000 Milwaukee Avenue Extension to Border $30 Million Dunedin Gateway

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Pizzuti Solutions, LLC, a division of The Pizzuti Companies of Columbus, Ohio and Orlando, recently completed a $450,000 extension of Milwaukee Avenue between Main Street and Skinner Boulevard across from Mease Dunedin Hospital in downtown Dunedin.

Pizzuti Vice President Tom Harmer, who manages Pizzuti Solutions, the division that focuses on the firm’s public-private programs, said the road construction project was part of the infrastructure improvements that helps to set the stage for a major $30 million redevelopment of the 4.1-acre Dunedin Gateway, a downtown parcel bordered by Milwaukee Avenue, Skinner Boulevard (S.R. 580), and Main Street. The first phase of the planned retail and office development will include ground-floor shopping and Class A medical office space, Harmer said.

Pizzuti Solutions is also overseeing the design and construction of $1 million in streetscape improvements on Main Street between Skinner Boulevard and Milwaukee Avenue, Harmer said. Those improvements include relocating the utilities underground, reducing lanes from four to two, providing angled street parking, installation of brick pavers and crosswalks, landscaping and decorative street lighting. Funding for the road and streetscape projects is supported by a State grant for economic development, with completion expected early next year.

For more information contact:
Tom Harmer, Vice President, The Pizzuti Companies; 407-841-0000; tharmer@pizzuti.com

Bob Monds, Director of Marketing and Communications, The Pizzuti Companies; 614-280-4058; bmonds@pizzuti.com

Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications; 407-644-4142; lvershelco@aol.com

Crossman & Company Honored as Best Property Management Company by Business Magazine’s Readers Poll

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Crossman & Company, which ranks are one of the largest third-party retail leasing and management firms in the Southeast, was recently honored as the best property management company in an Orlando area business trade publication’s readers poll.

Harold Warren, chief operating officer of Crossman & Company who heads Property Management, said, “It’s an honor to receive this award, particularly since it was our clients and customers who voted that we are providing superior service, which is our ultimate goal.”

Crossman & Company provides full-service property management for a variety of property types throughout the state, as well as offering accounting, project management, and development services.

For Information About This Press Release:
Justin Greider, Senior Associate, Crossman & Company/ICSC Florida Next Generation Chair, 407-581-6225; jgreider@crossmanco.com

John Crossman, CCIM, President, Crossman & Company, 407-581-6218, jcrossman@crossmanco.com

Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142, lvershelco@aol.com

About Crossman & Company:
Crossman & Company is one of the largest third-party retail leasing and management companies in the Southeast with over 16 million square feet under leasing and/or management. Founded in Orlando in 1990, Crossman & Company is a full service commercial real estate firm that advises its clients in leasing, management, development and investment sales of retail and office properties and serves clients including Publix Super Markets, Inc., Lake Nona, PREIT, and LaSalle Investment Management. Please visit www.crossmanco.com, or call 407-423-5400 for more information.

Three Brokers working as a Team at Grubb & Ellis|Commercial Florida Post 45 Commercial Lease Transactions

ORLANDO, Fla. – Three brokers working as a team in the Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida Office Group in Orlando have completed 45 commercial lease transactions since Jan. 1.

Jeff Sweeney, SIOR, president of Grubb & Ellis/Commercial Florida, with offices in Orlando, Tampa and Melbourne, said Jay Dixon and Robert Kellogg, vice presidents of the firm’s Office Group and associate Jerry Thornbury, rank among the top office leasing associates in the Central Florida area, representing both landlords and tenants.












Jay Dixon

“Jay Dixon, Robert Kellogg and Jerry Thornbury are three of the most aggressive young guns and innovative commercial real estate executives I have ever worked with,” Sweeney said. “They have perfected the team concept.”












Robert Kellogg

“Despite a serious recession and one of the worst job markets we have seen in decades, Dixon, Kellogg and Thornbury have rewritten the rule books in the interests of their clients and their results speak for themselves,” Sweeney said.












Jerry Thornbury

Contact:
eff Sweeney, SIOR, 407-481-5387, 315 E. Robinson St. Suite 555, Orlando, FL 32801, http://www.commercialfl.com/

Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida:
Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida is an affiliated commercial real estate services firm specializing in the leasing and sale of office, industrial, retail, land and investment properties. Currently Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida has 40 brokers divided among its Orlando, Tampa and Melbourne offices to serve the entire mid-Florida marketplace.



About Grubb & Ellis:
Named to The Global Outsourcing 100™ in 2009 by the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals™, Grubb & Ellis Company (NYSE: GBE) is one of the largest and most respected commercial real estate services and investment companies in the world. Our 6,000 professionals in more than 130 company-owned and affiliate offices draw from a unique platform of real estate services, practice groups and investment products to deliver comprehensive, integrated solutions to real estate owners, tenants and investors. The firm’s transaction, management, consulting and investment services are supported by highly regarded proprietary market research and extensive local expertise. Through its investment subsidiaries, the company is a leading sponsor of real estate investment programs that provide individuals and institutions the opportunity to invest in a broad range of real estate investment vehicles, including public non-traded real estate investment trusts (REITs), tenant-in-common (TIC) investments suitable for tax-deferred 1031 exchanges, mutual funds and other real estate investment funds. For more information, visit http://www.grubb-ellis.com/.