Upcoming Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty–HBA Worldwide Auction March 28

Two Luxury Homes in the Windermere Area could bring Million-Dollar Bids at Upcoming Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty–HBA Worldwide Auction March 28

ORLANDO, Fla. - Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty and the Home Builders Association of Mid Florida have joined forces to produce a unique event scheduled for March 28 in Orlando http://www.hbaauction.com/ – a worldwide auction of custom homes that could generate millions of dollars worth of sales from buyers all around the world.

Two Windermere-area properties slated for the auction block could bring bids of more than $1 million, said Roger Soderstrom, founder and principal of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty.

A 5,268 square foot luxury home at 9730 Lake Hugh Drive, (Photos, www.obeo.com/520337), in Gotha previously listed for sale at $1.65 million will be offered with a starting bid of $890,000, Soderstrom said.

The four-bedroom, five-and-one-half bath luxury home, built in 2007 with its own security gates, boasts a three-car garage and a master suite with its own morning bar, coffee maker and refrigerator, a home theater that rivals the local cineplex, a gourmet kitchen worthy of its own TV show and a resort-style swimming pool with a rock waterfall.

A lakefront estate home on Lake Hancock at 14616 Avenue of the Rushes, (Photos, www.obeo.com/523350), in Winter Garden will be offered with a starting bid of $788,000, Soderstrom said. The 4,340 square foot luxury home, recently listed for sale at $1.98 million, offers four bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths, a three-car garage and gourmet kitchen, along with a huge outdoor entertainment area with a swimming pool, two fountains and two-level terraced deck.

“There are several remarkable properties scheduled for auction and we anticipate the winning bids will represent both substantial bargains and high prices,” Soderstrom said.

“I can’t remember when we have had so many fabulous custom and estate homes for sale in a single auction,” he said.

Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty’s Worldwide Auction Group will accept bids online at http://www.auctionsbystirling.com/ or bidders can register to bid in person via telephone at 407-588-1260, Soderstrom said.

For more information contact:

Roger Soderstrom, Founder/Owner Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, 407-588-1260

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

Entrust Administrative Services Names Jason DeBono Business Development Director

Entrust Administrative Services Names Jason DeBono Business Development Director

LAKE MARY, Fla. - Entrust Administrative Services, which provides IRA administrative services to over 2,000 account holders of self-directed IRA funds in Florida, has appointed Jason DeBono as business development director.

Glen Mather, president of Entrust Administrative Services, Inc., based in Lake Mary, said DeBono attended the University of Central Florida and has more than three years of experience.

DeBono joined Entrust Administrative Services two years ago as an intern, Mather said.

For more information, contact:

Glen Mather, President Entrust Administrative Services, Inc., 407-367-3472

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

Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty sees big opportunities for “Green” homes, properties

Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty sees big opportunities for “Green” homes, properties

ORLANDO, Fla. - Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, ranks as one of the most innovative real estate firms in Florida, and is mounting a major campaign to convince home owners to “green up” their homes for resale.

Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty http://www.stirlingsir.com/, said efforts to increase a home’s energy efficiency ranks as one of the most cost-effective improvements an owner can consider.

“The real estate market is changing, and especially among younger buyers, energy efficiency is a critical feature in a home,” said Soderstrom. “Cost savings is an important factor, but there’s also a moral factor---people want to live responsibly, and that means better sustainability and a smaller carbon footprint,” Soderstrom said.

Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty is partnering with several “green” firms to offer home owners advice on how to green up their homes, Soderstrom said.

“Major improvements such as solar panels or even solar hot water heaters make a big difference to many home buyers, especially younger families and European and Asian buyers,” Soderstrom said.

But even minor improvements can make for a faster sale. Energy-efficient appliances, recycling facilities, double-paned windows and solar screens can translate into more dollars at the time of sale.

And Stirling isn’t confining its new “green” advice to existing home owners.
“We are constantly advising new home builders and developers to go green,” Soderstrom said. “With the new U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) architectural protocols and LEED (Leadership in Energy Efficient Design) credentials, there is no shortage of expertise in how to make homes safer, more economical and more sustainable,” Soderstrom said.

Even small measures---using durable materials manufactured efficiently with little waste product---help the environment, Soderstrom said.

For more information contact:

Roger Soderstrom, Founder/Owner Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, 407-588-1260

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

Hal Warren elected Vice-Chairman of Orlando Historic Preservation Board

Hal Warren elected Vice-Chairman of Orlando Historic Preservation Board

ORLANDO, Fla. - Hal Warren, a veteran commercial broker in Central Florida and associate partner at Hendricks & Partners in Orlando, was recently elected vice-chairman of the Orlando Historic Preservation Board.

Warren was appointed to the Orlando Historic Preservation Board in December, 2007 by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.

A graduate of Florida State University in Tallahassee, Warren earned his MBA Degree from the University of Central Florida. He has more than 20 years of experience in commercial real estate, including positions as southeast acquisitions director for United Dominion Realty Trust, Inc. and senior director with Cushman & Wakefield's Apartment Brokerage Services.

Last year he joined Hendricks & Partners, the nation's largest private capital network of advisors and systems, as associate partner in the firm's southeast regional division headquartered in downtown Orlando.

"The Orlando Historic Preservation Board plays an important role in maintaining and protecting those elements of architecture and infrastructure that make Orlando a unique place with a vivid connection to its past," Warren said.

For more information, please contact:

Hal Warren, Associate Partner, Hendricks & Partners, 407-218-8881

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

PowerfulEducation Technology, LLC Launches Statewide Program with Life Skills Centers of Florida

PowerfulEducation Technology, LLC Launches Statewide Program with Life Skills Centers of Florida

ORLANDO, Fla. - PowerfulEducation Technologies, LLC, a client company at the University of Central Florida's Downtown Orlando Incubator that provides educational enhancement for young people, has launched a statewide pilot study to teach underprivileged and troubled youngsters employment skills.

Dr. Lesia Crumpton-Young, president and chief executive officer of PowerfulEducation Technologies, LLC, said the firm is conducting the study program in conjunction with Life Skills Centers of Florida, which operates six alternative high schools for underprivileged and troubled youngsters in Orlando, Tallahassee, Opa Locka (Dade County), and Polk County.

Dr. Young said more than 100 students are participating in the program, which involves a daily workbook that guides them through exercises of participation and concentration on important life skills such as problem solving and personal integrity that are essential to productive and responsible citizenship.

"Our purpose is to use new concepts and technology to help turn troubled youth into productive, progressive members of society," said Dr. Young.

Programs and protocols PowerfulEducation Technologies has developed can reduce school dropouts, teen violence, teen pregnancies and suicides, said Dr. Young, who is also a human factors engineering professor at UCF.

Contacts:

Dr. Lesia L. Crumpton-Young, President/CEO PowerfulEducation Technologies, 407-649-6702, dryoung@powerfuleducation.com

Gordon Hogan, Site Manager, UCF Incubation Program-Downtown, 407-882-1577, bizdev@mail.ucf.edu

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

About the UCF Incubation Program:

Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Incubation Program has helped more than 100 emerging companies (including nearly 70 current clients) create over $500 million in annual revenue and more than 900 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With five 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, and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. For more information, please visit http://www.incubator.ucf.edu/.

Former Rotary International Director is Keynote Speaker at Central Florida Rotary District Conference April 27-May 4

Former Rotary International Director is Keynote Speaker at Central Florida Rotary District Conference April 27-May 4

ORLANDO, Fla. - Former Rotary International Director Don Mebus will serve as keynote speaker during Rotary International’s Central Florida District 6980 Annual Conference April 27 – May 4 in Orlando.

Carlos Giraldo, Central Florida district governor for Rotary International, said 2,300 Rotary International members representing 44 Rotary Clubs in the Orlando district are expected to participate in the conference, along with some 3,000 guests, sponsors and supporters.

Mebus, who joined Rotary International in 1974, is a third generation Rotary leader who divides his time between service at his local Rotary Club in Arlington, Texas and work on Rotary-sponsored school and health care clinics in the remote Moskita area of Honduras.

Mebus’ service work with Rotary International has included extended projects in Russia, India, Nepal and Germany.

“Don Mebus and his wife Carolyn represent the highest ideals of Rotary International’s service and community enrichment,” said Giraldo. “They have traveled the world, and they have contributed greatly to improving local communities and networks in order to make a better world. Thousands of Rotarians are engaged in this work all across the planet,” he said.

Orlando Rotary International District 6980 represents 44 Rotary Clubs with more than 2,300 members in Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake and Sumter Counties. Its Annual Conference and Cruise will take place from Monday, Apr. 27 through Monday May 4.

For more information, please contact:

Carlos H. Giraldo, District Governor Rotary International 407.376.5368; carlos@crshotels.com

Larry Vershel or Beth Payan Larry Vershel Communications 407.644.4142; lvershelco@aol.com

Emerson International to lease luxury condominiums overlooking Cranes Roost Lake at Emerson Plaza in Altamonte Springs

Emerson International to lease luxury condominiums overlooking Cranes Roost Lake at Emerson Plaza in Altamonte Springs

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. - Emerson International reported it will lease select two and three-bedroom luxury condominiums at Emerson Plaza, overlooking Cranes Roost Lake in Uptown Altamonte Springs at I-4 and S.R. 436 in Altamonte Springs.

Eric J. Emerson, vice president and general manager of the development firm, said 31 of 54 luxury condominiums in Tower One at Emerson Plaza have been sold at prices ranging from the $300s to $1 million plus.

Emerson said Emerson International will lease 20 select two and three-bedroom condominiums that range in size from 1,400 square feet of living space to 3,000 square feet.

Rentals in Tower One start from $1,795 per month, Emerson said.

For sales or lease information on Emerson Plaza please call 407-834-5516 or visit http://www.emersonplaza.com/.

For more information about this press release contact:

Eric J. Emerson, Vice President and General Manager Emerson International, Inc., 407-834-9560, ejemerson@emerson-us.com

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

Veteran Malpractice Lawyer Named Partner in Volusia County Personal-Injury Firm

Veteran Malpractice Lawyer Named Partner in Volusia County Personal-Injury Firm

PORT ORANGE, Fla. – Attorney Kim E. Bouck has been made a partner at Rue & Ziffra, a 25-year-old Volusia County law firm with offices in Orange City and Port Orange.

Bouck specialized in medical malpractice cases for more than 20 years before joining the personal injury firm in 2005, according to firm President Allan L. Ziffra.

But, her previous expertise was in representing health care providers and insurance companies instead of injured plaintiffs, he said.

“Kim’s knowledge and experience from the opposite side of the courtroom – as well as her understanding of both side’s strategies – have proved invaluable to our firm and to our clients these past three-and-a-half years,” Ziffra said.

With a bachelor’s degree from University of West Florida and a juris doctor degree from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, Bouck is a member of the Volusia County Bar Association, the Florida Bar and the Florida Justice Association.

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, the firm has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients and their families. With a staff of eight attorneys, Rue & Ziffra 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 aziffra@rueziffra.com

Shane Snipes, Marketing & Advertising Director, Rue & Ziffra, 386-788-7700 or shanes@rueziffra.com

Charlene Hager-Van Dyke, Larry Vershel Communications, 386-837-8780, 407-644-4142 or chagervandyke@yahoo.com

Centex Homes Announces Statewide Realtor Incentive with Three, Four and Five Percent Commissions in 31 Communities

Centex Homes Announces Statewide Realtor Incentive with Three, Four and Five Percent Commissions in 31 Communities

ORLANDO, Fla. - Centex Homes, which ranks as one of Florida’s most active homebuilders, announced it is offering a new “super-powered” Realtor sales commission in 31 Centex Homes communities located throughout Florida.

Carol-Ann Barody, director of operational marketing for Centex Homes’ East Florida Division, said new co-broker commissions for area Realtors include a full three percent on the first house sold, four percent for the second home, five percent for the third and every additional home sold thereafter.

Barody said the super-powered sales commission is available through July 31.

“Local area Realtors typically account for about half of all new home sales,” Barody said. “We instituted a new super-powered commission structure to reward local area Realtors and to super-charge our own new home sales throughout the state,” she said.

For more information, contact:

Carol-Ann Barody, Director of Marketing, Centex Homes, 407-661-1416

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

About Centex Homes:

Dallas-based Centex (NYSE: CTX), founded in 1950, is one of the nation’s leading home building companies. Centex operates in major U.S. markets in 25 states and delivered more than 35,000 homes in the United States in its most recent fiscal year ended March 31, 2007. Its leading brands include Centex Homes, Fox & Jacobs Homes, CityHomes and Centex Destination Properties.

Shredder Express Launches Shred-A-Thon Earth Day Fundraiser to Benefit five Seminole County Elementary Schools

Shredder Express Launches Shred-A-Thon Earth Day Fundraiser to Benefit five Seminole County Elementary Schools

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. - Shredder Express, the Altamonte Springs retail firm that provides secure shredding of documents and files, has announced it is sponsoring the Planet Pals Earth Day Fundraiser Shred-A-Thon to benefit five Seminole County Elementary Schools.

Joe Hursh, partner and co-founder of Shredder Express, said 20 percent of the proceeds generated by each school through April 22 will be donated back to the elementary schools.

Altogether, five elementary schools in Seminole County are participating in the Planet Pals Earth Day Fundraiser – Sabal Point Elementary and Woodlands Elementary in Longwood, Lake Mary Elementary, Annunciation Catholic Academy in Altamonte Springs and Bear Lake Elementary in Apopka.

Hursh said all shredding provided at Shredder Express is “green.”

“Our end products are all recycled to help keep America green,” Hursh said. “For every ton of paper recycled, 17 trees are saved,” he added.

Shredder Express is located at 620 Douglas Ave. in Altamonte Springs.

For more information, contact:

Joe Hursh, Owner/Partner, Shredder Express 620 Douglas Avenue, Altamonte Springs, Fla., 407-388-2800

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