Ashton Woods Homes opens Phase 2 at Waterset in Apollo Beach

TAMPA, Fla. — Ashton Woods Homes has opened phase 2 at its community of Waterset off Big Bend Road in Apollo Beach. Michael Roche, vice president of sales for Ashton Woods Homes, said there are 25 home sites in phase 2 for homes ranging from 2,066 square feet of living area to 2,638 square feet. New three, four and five-bedroom homes at Waterset are priced from $234,990 and all floor plans will offer two and three-car garages, Roche said.

Ashton Woods Homes Promotes Sales Manager for Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. — Ashton Woods Homes has promoted Ashley Schlageter to General Sales Manager-Orlando Michael Roche, vice president of sales for Ashton Woods Homes said Schlageter, a graduate of Michigan State University, has 10 years of experience in residential real estate sales. Roche said Schlageter has been with Ashton Woods Homes nearly eight years and was formerly sales manager at the homebuilder’s community of Laureate Park.

Park Square Homes starts development in Toscana luxury community off Turkey Lake Road in Dr. Phillips area

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Park Square Homes has begun development in the gated, luxury community of Toscana, located off Turkey Lake Rd. in the Dr. Phillips area of south Orlando. Anthony Rouhana, sales and marketing coordinator, said Park Square Homes has 32 home sites at Toscana and plans to build three-story single family homes that will range from 3,300 square feet of living area to 4,400 square feet, priced from $600,000. All the homes Park Square builds in Toscana will offer five and six bedrooms. The community is located on Spring Lake, Rouhana added, and is in close proximity to fine schools, Millennia Mall and the attractions Amenities at Toscana include lake views and luxurious landscaping, a clubhouse with fitness center, pool and spa.

DiVosta Homes introduces new Kendall II floor plan at VeronaWalk in Naples, decorated model open by year end.

NAPLES, Fla. --- DiVosta Homes has introduced another spectacular floor plan which is now available for purchase at VeronaWalk in Naples, and this one takes “open design” to a whole new level. The new Kendall II, priced from $278,990, features a host of upgrades and options that are the epitome of luxury resort-style living. A model of the Kendall II is under construction and scheduled to open – fully furnished and decorated – by the end of this year. The 1,759 square-foot Kendall II offers three bedrooms, two baths and a rear-entry two-car garage. The living area includes a kitchen, dining room, great room, lanai and front porch. “The Kendall II was designed for entertaining, and that means lots of open space,” said Scott Mairn, vice president of sales and marketing for the South Florida Division of DiVosta Homes. “This design is perfect for neighborhood and seasonal gatherings or just for lounging in the afternoon.” The Kendall II is the latest of more than a dozen floor plans available at VeronaWalk, where DiVosta Homes is building elegant two and three bedroom single family homes ranging from 1,392 square feet of living area to 2,488 square feet, priced from the $230s. VeronaWalk is located on Collier Blvd. in Naples west of I-75 Exit 101. The active adult DiVosta community boasts quality construction, zero-maintenance homes with a wide range of activities along with miles of walkways, Venetian-style bridges, state-of-the-art fitness center and resort-style swimming pool.

Park Square Homes Starts Work on Amenities Center at Solterra in Polk County

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Park Square Homes has started construction of an amenities center at Solterra Resort, located in Davenport in Polk County off Ronald Reagan Blvd. Anthony Rouhana, sales and marketing coordinator for Park Square Homes, said the amenities center will include a 3,000 square foot clubhouse, resort-style swimming pool, cabana, water slide, two tennis courts, volleyball court and playground. Park Square Homes has 20 home sites remaining in the first phase at Solterra with homes priced from the high $200s.

ANNUAL 9/11 MEMORIAL SERVICE AND MOTORCYCLE RIDE “REMEMBERS THE FALLEN” ON SEPT. 8 IN FLAGLER COUNTY

BUNNELL – This year’s 9/11 Memorial Motorcycle Ride, “Remembering the Fallen & the Heroes of 9/11,” will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 8 at the Flagler Government Service Building at 1769 E. Moody Blvd. The free event – which marks the 12th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 tragedy – features a 67-mile ride as part of a day-long activity that honors the heroes of 9/11. A memorial ceremony, led by the Red Knights Palm Coast FL Chapter 11, will begin at 9:30 a.m. and the motorcycle ride kicks off at 10:30 a.m. and ends at 4:30 p.m. at the White Eagle Lounge, 5533 North U.S. Highway 1 in Korona. Presented annually by the law firm of Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell and the Palm Coast Chapter of the Red Knights Firefighters Club, the police-escorted ride is expected to attract more than 3,000 participants, according to David Sweat√, partner of the Port Orange-based personal-injury firm. “We’re proud to be a sponsor of this very important annual event and pay tribute to those we lost on Sept. 11, as well as our fellow firefighters and American heroes who put their lives on the line for us every day,” said Sweat, whose firm has several motorcycle-riding attorneys and staff members who will be participating. Included will be live entertainment, event t-shirts, free food, and raffles, including the chance to win a trip for two to Ground Zero, Sweat said. Additional sponsors are the White Eagle Lounge, Thunder Roads Magazine and Flagler County Government Services. For details, contact Jessica Eckelbarger, Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell marketing director, at 386-788-7700 or jessicae@rueziffra.com, or visit http://www.memorialrun911.com/schedule.htm.

Local Law Firm President Receives Highest Ranking from Prestigious Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review

PORT ORANGE – Attorney Allan L. Ziffra, president and co-founder of the Port Orange-based law firm of Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell, recently was ranked AV® Preeminent in the Martindale-Hubbell Directory’s Peer Review Ratings. The AV® ranking – the highest of three ratings by Martindale-Hubbell – attests to a lawyer's legal ability and adherence to professional standards of ethics, said firm co-founder John D. Rue. The rating, according to Rue, reflects the opinions of members of the Bar and the judiciary with opinions gathered from questionnaires and interviews conducted by Martindale-Hubbell representatives. “These peer review ratings are very important in the legal field,” Rue said. “Receiving the highest possible marks from your peers is the best compliment one can be given.” Ziffra – who is admitted to practice in all Florida Courts and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida – has a bachelor’s degree from DePaul University, Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law, and a master’s of law degree from the University of Miami. A Chicago native who passed the Bar at the age of 24 is a member of the American Bar Association, The Florida Bar, Volusia County Bar Association, Florida Justice Association, and the American Association for Justice. During the past 24 years, Ziffra has successfully represented more than 2,700 individuals and recovered more than $100 million for his clients in personal-injury lawsuits.

Kings Ridge Golf Club in Clermont to host Second Annual Fairways for Warriors Golf Tournament Sept. 14

CLERMONT, Fla. -- Kings Ridge Golf Club, located on U.S. 27 five miles south of S.R. 50 in Clermont, will host the Second Annual Fairways for Warriors Golf Tournament on Saturday, Sept. 14. Kenny Nairn, Scottish PGA professional and chief operating officer of Celebration Golf Management, said he expects more than 100 golfers to participate, including wounded U.S. military veterans. “Fairways for Warriors provides golf instruction, equipment and tee times to help disabled veterans overcome their challenges and this is a very popular tournament in Lake County,” Nairn said. The Fairways for Warriors team scramble tournament will tee off at 9 a.m. at Kings Ridge and each team will include at least one wounded warrior, Nairn said. Last year’s inaugural Fairways for Warriors Golf Tournament at King’s Ridge Golf Club drew more than 100 area golfers, Jay Scruggs, general manager at Kings Ridge, said. For information or to register, telephone 352-242-4653.

Celebration Golf Management plans major improvement to several area golf clubs

CELEBRATION, Fla. --- Celebration Golf Management which owns or operates nine golf clubs and courses in the Central Florida area, has scheduled a series of major improvements totaling more than $750,000. Kenny Nairn, Scottish PGA Golf professional who was recently promoted to chief operating officer at Celebration Golf Management, said new golf carts are being purchased as well as renovations to clubhouse facilities. Renovations and upgrades include -- • 72 new golf carts for Stoneybrook West at $300,000; • New maintenance equipment including new mowers at a cost of $250,000; • At Solivita, a new food and beverage training program for some 50 employees as well as new maintenance equipment totaling more than $100,000 ; • At Golden Bear in Windermere, renovation of clubhouse, fitness center and pool totals more than $100,000.

Legends Golf Club in Clermont to Host Legends Junior Golf Academy for Youngsters Aged 5 - 15

CLERMONT, Fla. --- Legends Golf Club, located on U.S. 27 five miles south of S.R. 50 at 1700 Legendary Blvd. in Clermont, will host the one-day Legends Junior Golf Academy on Saturday, Aug. 17. Kenny Nairn, Scottish PGA professional and chief operating officer of Celebration Golf Management, said Legends Junior Golf Academy is open to boys and girls aged 5 – 15. The free clinic will run from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. To register or learn more information, telephone 352-243-1118 or visit www.LegendsGolfOrlando.com

Meritage Homes Names New Land Development Construction Manager

ORLANDO, Fla. – Meritage Homes has named Tim Wheeler land development construction manager in the Orlando region. Brian Kittle, division vice president for Meritage Homes, said Wheeler holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from University of Central Florida and has more than 12 years of experience in land development and project management. He formerly held senior land development management roles at Pulte and Walt Disney Imagineering. He is also the owner/operator of his own development consulting firm. In his new role, Wheeler will be responsible for construction of infrastructure on land acquired for new communities including entry and perimeter features along with neighborhood amenities that spotlight Meritage Homes communities as leaders in the industry. “Knowing how much sustainable design is a part of Meritage Homes, I hope to begin implementing the sustainable land development strategies I learned while a member of Disney Imagineering with our land planning and development here at Meritage in Central Florida,” Wheeler said.