Volusia Law Firm Joins Firefighter Motorcycle Club to Sponsor May Benefit Poker Run For Shands Burn Center

FLAGLER COUNTY – The law firm of Rue & Ziffra P.A. and Chapter 11 of the Red Knights Motorcycle Club will sponsor the 7th annual Shands Burn Center Poker Run on Sunday, May 1.

Beginning at 9:30 a.m. with pre-registration at the White Eagle Lounge on U.S. Highway 1, Korona in Flagler County, the event will have participants stopping to play their hands at four restaurants/bars in Volusia, Flagler and St. Johns counties before returning to the White Eagle Lounge by 4 p.m.

“This poker run will raise money for the Shands Burn Center in Gainesville, and it’s also a fun event for all who will be participating,” said Allan L. Ziffra, president of the Port Orange-based firm.

According to national statistics, burn injuries – caused by heat, electricity, chemicals, radiation or fire – are the third largest cause of accidental death in the United States. More than two million people are injured each year; 6,000 of them fatally.

Tickets for the May 1 three-county ride – one of many sponsored annually by Rue and Ziffra in support of the motorcycle-riding community – are $15 per person and include one poker hand, food and live entertainment. Prizes will be awarded to the best hands and a raffle will be held.

For more information, contact RKMC Chapter President Paul Metzner at 410-591-2676 or h43huskie@yahoo.com. Details also are available from the club’s website at www.krmcfl11.org.

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 nine attorneys, the firm maintains offices in Port Orange and Orange City. For more information, visit www.rueziffra.com.

Meritage Homes Appoints Tom Evans Sales Associate

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Meritage Homes recently appointed Tom Evans as new home sales associate at the Oaks at Brandy Lakes in Southwest Orlando.

Brian Kittle, vice president of sales at Meritage Homes in Orlando, said Evans has more than 11 years of experience in new home sales.

Shopping centers, malls are transforming as “Big Box” retailers seek smaller stores, developers seek new uses, says WeinPlus chief executive

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. --- Retailers eyeing smaller, smarter retail facilities could change the look and feel of some malls and retail centers across Florida, says one Florida real estate strategist.

Rachel Elias Wein, AIA, founder and principal of WeinPlus Real Estate Advisory Services in St. Petersburg, said many “big box” retailers are opting for smaller facilities that are more efficient.

“Retailers have begun to focus more on smaller real estate footprints, with larger inventory turnover, more sales per square foot and more sales per individual customer,” Wein said. “A store that can meet its sales objectives in 8,000 square feet or 10,000 square feet instead of 14,000 square feet can be much more profitable,” she said.

Wein said Office Depot, Target, Best Buy, Gap and even Wal-Mart are all considering smaller, smarter retail store footprints.

“Wal-Mart plans to open more than 30 smaller format stores in 2011, focusing on grocery products and a smaller inventory of general merchandise,” Wein said.

“Target’s CityTarget concept aims at smaller stores with more targeted merchandise in urban areas.

Smaller, “Big Box” stores offer strategic advantages, Wein said.

Smaller footprints are more efficient, and that means more stores — and more consumer choices — in a single retail center,” she said.

Lowered operating expenses, which include everything from energy costs and maintenance to the workforce, will help retailers economize.

“We should see several changes as developers and retailers shift strategies to accommodate the recession,” Wein said.

Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty named exclusive marketing agents for Merritt Island $1.4 million 1910 Vintage Carlton House

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, the Orlando-based firm that specializes in luxury properties and unique resort and vacation homes, was named exclusive real estate broker to market the Carlton House luxury estate home on the Indian River at Melody Lane in Merritt Island.

See http://youtu.be/FleZu0S-YBo.

Constructed in 1910, the Carlton House property includes a gated 1.88 acre estate with 178 feet of Indian River waterfront and a private boat dock.

The Carlton House offers 11,587 square feet of living space with six bedrooms and five-and-a-half baths.

Stirling Sotheby’s International Luxury Home Specialists Kim Tillett and Lauren Merrell are listing the property for $1.4 million, according to Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty.

About Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty:

Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty is affiliated with Sotheby’s International Realty, the largest luxury real estate brand in the world. Stirling Sotheby’s exclusive services include luxury residential, new homes, commercial, property management, in addition to supporting builders, developers, lenders, and asset managers. The company operates three performance zones which serve all of Central Florida. Visit www.StirlingSIR.com

Meritage Homes Plans Grand Opening May 14 at Waterford Trails in East Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. – Meritage Homes will hold a grand opening May 14 for its newest community of Waterford Trails located off Avalon Park Blvd. in east Orlando.

Brian Kittle, director of sales for Meritage Homes in Orlando, said there are 114 home sites available at Waterford Trails with homes ranging from 1,691 square feet of living space to 3,589 square feet.

Celebration Golf Club honored by Golf Digest ranked among top 30 of more than 1,700 Florida golf courses

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Celebration Golf Club was recently ranked among the top 30 best golf courses in Florida by Golf Digest.

Gene Garrote, president of Celebration Golf Management, which owns and operates Celebration Golf Club and five others in Central Florida, said he was pleased with the ranking, which reviewed more than 1,700 Florida golf courses.

“Celebration Golf Club is an excellent course and we are delighted to be named among the top 30 golf courses in Florida,” Garrote said.

Ashton Woods Homes introduces prototype floor plan at Palm Cove in Wesley Chapel

WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. --- Ashton Woods Homes has introduced a prototype floor plan with 2,187 square feet of living space at Palm Cove, located off Boyette Road and S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel.

Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing at Ashton Woods Homes in the Tampa Bay region, said the new two-story plan offers four bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths with a two-car garage priced from $174,900 at Palm Cove.

Ashton Woods Homes is building 25 new homes in the current phase at Palm Cove.

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 Austin, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, Raleigh, Phoenix, Denver, Tampa and Orlando.

ICI Homes Names Online Marketing Specialist

ORMOND BEACH, Fla. --- ICI Homes has named Duane Alan Kennerson as online marketing specialist.

Rosemary Messina, vice president of sales and marketing for ICI Homes said Kennerson has more than nine years of experience in web development and marketing. He was formerly with Palm Coast Data, and is also a resident of Palm Coast.

About ICI Homes

ICI Homes is ranked by Builder magazine as one of the top 100 privately owned homebuilders in the nation. The 30-year-old firm builds new homes and resort facilities in the Volusia-Flagler region as well as in Jacksonville, Orlando, Melbourne and Tampa.

Ashton Woods Homes Introduces Prototype Floor Plan at Eagles Landing at Westyn Bay in Ocoee

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Ashton Woods Homes has introduced a prototype floor plan called the Marconi with 3,075 square feet of living space, four bedrooms, three full baths and a two-car garage at Eagles Landing at Westyn Bay, which overlooks Lake Apopka off of West Road and Ocoee-Apopka Road in Ocoee.

Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing for Ashton Woods Homes in the Orlando region, said the prototype floor plan will be ready this summer.

Ashton Woods Homes is building 15 new homes in the first phase at Eagles Landing at Westyn Bay priced from $254,900.

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 Austin, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Raleigh, Phoenix, Denver, Tampa and Orlando. Visit www.ashtonwoodshomes.com.

ICI Homes Names New Home Sales Associate at Plantation Bay Golf & Country Club

ORMOND BEACH, Fla. --- ICI Homes has named Robert Steiner a new home sales consultant at Plantation Bay Golf & Country Club in Ormond Beach.

Rosemary Messina, vice president of sales and marketing for ICI Homes said Steiner, who holds a Bachelors Degree in Communications from Southern Connecticut State University has 4-1/2 years of experience in real estate sales.

The Crescent Beach resident is a licensed Realtor who was formerly a sales associate at Watson Realty Corp. in St. Augustine, Messina said.

About ICI Homes

ICI Homes is ranked by Builder magazine as one of the top 100 privately owned homebuilders in the nation. The 30-year-old firm builds new homes and resort facilities in the Volusia-Flagler region as well as in Jacksonville, Orlando, Melbourne and Tampa.