REAL Magazine October 2010 by REAL Magazine

REAL M A G A Z I N E

The Secrets of Ca’ d’Zan with Ron McCarty

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f r o fm th publisher rom t he e publisher In this issue we go behind the velvet ropes with the Curator and Keeper of Ca’ d’Zan, Ron McCarty. As Curator he is in charge of all aspects of the historic mansion, the ongoing restoration of the building, research, display and care for all of the Ca’ d’Zan objects. A 29 year veteran at the John and Mable Museum of Art, Ron supervised and coordinated the $16 million, seven year restoration of Ca’ d’Zan, completed in April 2002. Regarding the restoration Ron shares “I assumed that the furniture was gone. What a treasure trove we found in the storage areas. There were hundreds of pieces of furniture, many missing parts. We found all of the missing parts! There wasn’t a piece of furniture I didn’t touch.” If you spend any time at all with Ron you feel his true devotion and attention to detail at Ca’ d’Zan. It is his home away from home.

House of John (and Mable)

Beyond Sarasota, Ron has exposed Ca’ d’Zan to the world. He has worked with national film crews that featured Ca’ d’Zan; America’s Castles for PBS Television, 20th Century Fox’s “Great Expectations” and the recent film “The Life and Times of John and Mable Ringling’ created for Public Television, where he plays John Ringling in numerous scenes. He has been featured on three episodes on WEDU public TV, on Gulf Coast Journal with Jack Perkins. The HGTV network has included many segments on the Ca’ d’Zan. Most recently the cable station, Wealth TV, featured Ca’ d’Zan on a new series called “Palatial Passports.” Some of the publications Ron has written include; The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art; Guide to the Collection in 2008 and “The Work of Dwight James Baum,” for Acanthus Press in 2009. He wrote three chapters for the publication “Gothic Art in the Gilded Age” in 2009. His newest book “Ca’ d’Zan: Ringling’s Venetian Palace” was released in August 2010 by the London-based Scala Publications. He has also published a series of essays in the “Grove Encyclopedia of American Art” published by Oxford University Press with a fall release date in 2010. Ron is on the Vetting Committee for the International Palm Beach Fine Arts Fair held every February, serves on the Advisory Board of the Department of Architecture and Interior Design at Florida State University, and organizes summer programs for the Department of Interior Design. A very accomplished, but humble man, he is a true asset to our community.

A symbol of major wealth in the gilded age very few Aeolians remain today. The organ cost $25,000 in 1925, contains 2,289 organ pipes, a main chamber climbing to the third story and second floor echo chambers delivering orchestral sound out to the rear marble bay front terrace. The Aeolian was last played, in partially working condition, sometime in the early 1980’s. On December 3rd Ca’ d’Zan will host a “Deck the Halls” event to kick off the Holiday Season with a fundraiser for the Ca’ d’Zan Preservation Fund, including the restoration of the Aeolian DuoArt Pipe Organ. The cost is $75 and includes entertainment, tours, hors d’oeuvres, a specialty bar and valet service at the holiday-themed Ca’ d’Zan mansion. Should you be unable to attend and are interested in helping the Preservation Fund, scan the tag below or text REALCHARITY to 90210. You may also donate thru the Ringling Museum website, www.ringling.org. Please be sure to indicate Aeolian Restoration on the donation form. Together we can make some beautiful music!

Ed Bertha Ed Bertha October 2010

Restoration is never complete at the 85 year old Ca’ d’Zan. To help preserve the original marble terrace behind Ca’ d’Zan a new area for entertaining was envisioned. Through the philanthropic efforts of Mr. David F. Bolger of Longboat Key, not only was the entertainment area constructed utilizing the same chevron pattern as the terrace, but visitors now can stroll along the bay on a palm lined promenade and take a break at one of the benches on the pathway taking in the view across to Longboat Key. Thank you David for your generous gift. Next on the restoration list is the heart and soul of Ca’ d’Zan, the Aeolian Pipe Organ. The Aeolian is a Duo-Art model meaning it could be manually played,or played automatically, from music rolls, of which the Ringlings had 440 choices. The Aeolian played long into the night at every gala event the Ringlings hosted. It wasn’t uncommon for John and Mable to bring in an organist from New York City for such occasions. Game room ceiling illustration of John and Mable Ringling painted by Willy Pogany.

Text realCHarITY to 90210 for more information. 4

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Selling luxury real estate in tough economic times…

…takes more than a little luck and being in the right place at the right time… Deborah Beacham, P.A. REALTOR®, CRS, GRI, TRC Your Luxury Waterfront Specialist A solid performer – year after year Ranks 8th YTD Sales Volume out of 3,200 Sarasota Realtors

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Photography by Giovanni Lunardi Photography by Giovanni Lunardi

t a b lt aeb l o ff ccoo e o n tn e ntt se n t s On the Cover

ors

The Secrets of Ca’ d’zan with Ron McCarty

by Ed Bertha

200 767

Invitation Only

The American Cancer Society

by Kacey C. Krznaric

RSVP Required 19 Xena Vallone Realty: A Boutique Agency With Substance

by Lalaena Gonzalez-Figueroa

In the News 20

Karen Greco, Vote NO On Amendment 4 Grapevine Communications

Coldwell Banker St. Armands, Melissa Coury Gail Shane

Events 14

725 Mangrove Point Road Island Style Luxury On Siesta Key

Perspectives 12

Design Lines – Embellished Surfaces

by Pamela Hughes

View From The Top: Passion and Excellence

by Robby Brown

Will The New FHA Short Refinance Program Help Stem The Foreclosure Tide?

by CJ Coury

Going Global – International Buyers By The Numbers

by Patricia Tan

What Your Eyes See, Holds The Key To More Consistent Putting

by Jonathan Yarwood

Elegant Portraits Exquisite Architectural Interiors & Exteriors

Executive Publisher Ed Bertha

Design and Layout Karen Krier

Cover Photography Giovanni Lunardi

Contributing Writers Tracy Eisnaugle Lalaena Gonzalez-Figueroa Kacey C. Krznaric

Photography Chad Spencer Giovanni Lunardi SRQ360 Sales Director Heidi Webber Executive Producer Video ViaVio; Leslie Brown Creative Director Christian Lunardi

Subscriptions and Circulation Innovative Agent Services; Tina Darling Printing Arcade Printing Production Enterprise Connections

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REAL Magazine is produced monthly by Enterprise Connections, Inc. Principal office: 6743 Ashley Court, Sarasota, FL 34241. COPYRIGHT ÂŠ 2010 REAL MAGAZINE. All content copyrighted. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Although precautions are taken to ensure the accuracy of published materials, REAL Magazine cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by its authors. All listing information published in REAL Magazine is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Contact agent directly to verify listing information which is subject to change.

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per p esr p s pee c c tt i viev s es Design Lines Embellished Surfaces By Pamela Hughes Pamela Hughes, the founder and owner of Hughes Design Associates, is well known nationally and internationally. Hughes Design Associates is one of the premier interior design firms known throughout North America for specializing in prestigious custom interiors. In Sarasota, Pamela has completed many exceptional projects including The Ritz-Carlton, The Members’ Beach Club, The Tower Residences, and Plaza at Five Points. Pamela may be reached at 941.922.4767 or visit www.hughesdes.com.

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T t is amazing how intertwined art is with design. The two words are almost synonymous. In previous columns, I’ve written about buying art and how to frame it, and we have had numerous columns about various facets of design. In this column, I’d like to write about having art actually created on the surface of our interiors: truly blending art with design.

We have long been an admirer and proponent of painted surfaces and have often used artists and craftsmen to embellish limited surfaces of a home. Like most things, if overdone, they lose their impact. So when we have used them to make a statement, we surround them with more subtle surfaces; when we use them more prolifically, we make them more background, using less bold tone-on-tone glazes and finishes. The menu of painted surfaces and techniques is vast, varying from simple glazing; to stippling and sponging; applying metallic leafing; and painting murals or designs on the wall or ceiling. Other techniques include venetian plaster which is a special plaster material incorporating finely ground marble to give a surface that is almost as smooth as glass, yet has the look of some dimension and the mark of the craftsman’s trowel throughout. Here are a few examples of what we have done to demonstrate these techniques. We recently had a client that adored embellished surfaces. So almost every surface of the home has some sort of applied special paint finish, even all the baseboards, floor casings and crown mouldings. In order to do that amount of work we had to make sure the painting was subtle and added nuance and elegance, and that the surfaces did not compete with one another. So, we had artisans do a gentle striee technique which involves painting a glaze onto the already painted base, door casing and trim, and then dragging a dry brush through the glaze to give it direction and a vague texture. We even had them mask the various boards of the door casing and wainscoting so that the vertical boards have a vertical striee and the horizontal boards have a horizontal striee. It is subtle, of course, but it almost unconsciously informs the eye of the nature of the

The Concession Golf Clubhouse

P b s

The Cloister at Sea Island

Continued on page 45, see “Embellished Surfaces”

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LWRC-104 Ambassador FLyer v2 NEW_Layout 1 10/5/10 11:23 AM Page 1

LAKEWOOD RANCH AMBASSADOR PROGRAM

Our ambassadors are here to help you and your clients discover everything Lakewood Ranch has to oﬀer.

LETTER FROM Lakewood Ranch Realtor Liaison Barb Zdziarski

The Ambassador Royal Treatment for Realtors:

This month I’d like to introduce you to the newest member of our Realtor Liaison team, Sherri Spanos! Sherri joins us from the Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club where she was a food and beverage manager, but she also has a background in real estate. Our job is to make your job easier! Let us help welcome your clients to Lakewood Ranch and keep you informed and up to date about all Ranch happenings! It is also our job to protect you when your clients visit models on their own. When you fill out a central registration form at any one of our three information centers, you are covered when your clients visit any new home builder in Lakewood Ranch! Watch for our emails about upcoming Realtor and community events, plus lots of perks for helping us sell the beautiful community of Lakewood Ranch!

Please contact Barb or Sherri directly: barbara.zdziarski@lakewoodranch.com sherri.spanos@lakewoodranch.com

•

Warm welcome to Realtors and prospects ensuring a positive first impression Grand slide presentation giving an in depth overview of the ranch Complimentary LWR tour with or without Realtor present LWR community brochure for your prospective clients to keep and peruse Maps and directions to any place of interest in the Ranch Community info highlighting amenities, schools, clubs, events and activities Complimentary VIP passes to a variety of amenities

• •

• • •

•

• •

Complimentary event tickets Complimentary gift certificates to local main street merchants for clients Cookies & bottled water History & financial stability of LWR overview Current and complete update on builder’s feature homes available for quick move-in Working as a team – let us be an ally and a partner you can trust Ambassadors available 7 days a week as well as by appointment Monthly event calendar provided Protected registration with all Ranch builders

Don’t miss the 13th Annual Tour of Homes

Come tour over 20 model homes

NOV. 5-21 FOR FULL TOUR GUIDE GO TO WWW.LAKEWOODRANCH.COM

Play tag! Learn how at: lakewoodranch.com

Become a fan today, go to: www.facebook.com/ LakewoodRanch

Ambassadors are available by appointment or at any of our 3 Information Centers: University Parkway (941) 907-6000 Summerﬁeld (941) 753-1469 | The Lake Club (941) 907-9088 Information Centers & Model Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.– 5:30 p.m. | Sunday Noon – 5 p.m. 941.907.6000 | 800.307.2624

ev e vee n n tt s s

725 Mangrove Point Road, Island Style Luxury On Siesta Key

Text realevent to 90210 for more information.

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Host: Karen Greco of Michael Saunders & Company Location: 725 Mangrove Point Road, Sarasota, Florida Photography: Chad Spencer Guest Speaker: Angela Massaro-Fain Grapevine Communications

Sponsors: Terri Costa; Williams Parker Harrison Dietz & Getzen Jo Ann Koontz; Yesner & Boss, PL Craig Marquette; Marquette Home Inspections Louise Stewart; Stage 3 Interior Design

Pat Martin; Pampered Moves Paula Swizter; MSC Mortgage Tina Darling; Innovative Agent Services Chad Spencer; C/M/S Photography Ken Brand; Szambelan Vodka

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per p esr p s pee c c tt i viev s es View From The Top: Passion And Excellence By Robby Brown Green Roofing Technologies’ Robby Brown is a 4th generation builder/roofer. A graduate of Hardin – Simmons University in Abilene, Texas he also is an under grad certified metallurgist from Certainium Alloys and Research in Cleveland, Ohio. He and his family have owned and operated businesses on the west coast of Florida for the past 50 years. Green Roofing Technologies has completed roofing installs for well known structures such as The Don Cesar, The Vinoy and The Safety Harbor Resort and Spa. One of Robby’s most recent residential projects was the installation of a state of the art Girard stone coated metal roof on REAL Magazine publisher Ed Bertha’s home. Robby may be reached at (727) 768.3067 or robbytheroofer@yahoo.com.

an anyone really say they set out from the start to be mediocre? I mean how many stories do you hear or read about where the contractor or skilled professional has left such a mess for a home owner that regulatory boards and legal entities have stepped in. I understand the different budgeting involved in low income and high income projects, but as a skilled craftsman couldn’t a builder say “I built that house to the best of my ability with attention to detail.” Since 1980 Anmar Builders/Green Roofing Technologies believes there is no room for mediocrity; you’re either good or bad. Excellence is something that our oldest partner, Fred Rizk, has preached from day one. After 30,000 apartment units including the famous Three Trees in Houston, Texas, Fred’s statement is so true. It’s either done right or done wrong. There is no in between. When asked how did you build a $500 million empire Fred replies “The first six units I built were for my parents and I wanted to please them. That was over 30,000 units ago.” It is that simple. Having built thousands of homes, dozens of gated communities and masterpiece roofs like the Don Cesar, Vinoy and Safety Harbor Resort we still strive for that child like desire for perfection to please our parents. I can humbly tell you that my success at Green Roofing Technologies has been in part because of the ability to surround myself with more talented individuals than myself. God has blessed me over and over with super individuals in my professional life. Kelly Jackson is one of the most amazing roofers God has put on this earth. Everyone has a purpose and Kelly’s is roofing without a doubt. George Nicholas of Anmar Builders and owner/developer of Quail Ridge Golf Course has such a solid character both in his personal and business life the he sets the precedent for us. He is a strong man. John Karaphylles, CGC, has a true heart of God. He makes each of us put people first, not the almighty dollar. Although the dollar is important it becomes secondary in our lives. I thank God each day for them all. It has truly been an honor and a pleasure to meet the people at REAL Magazine and its participants from month to month. I can truly say that everyone we’ve met have been not only professionals but heads and shoulders above most in their fields. In my walk through life I remember meeting people that had “something” that I wanted. Whether you call it a spiritual thing, indeed sometimes it is, or just a sense for being a winner the group that REAL Magazine is circulating breeds success. Of course success comes with a price. Hard work? Of course. Luck? I don’t think so. However success is not something that

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just happens. Some are just blessed with God given talent. Combine that with hard work, recognizing opportunity and the next thing you know the Pamela Hughes’, the Deborah Beacham’s, the Cliff Scholz’s and so on are all around you. I’d love to hear about each one’s story about the journey to today; Pamela’s first design, Deborah’s first sale, Cliff’s first drawing, etc. I know in my story it began with a goal and a desire to build. They say in business “don’t take it personally.” I dare to say for all of the above individuals it is a story of success that was very personal. I take each and every single job personally. Thousands of loving homes later, dozens of gated communities, masterpiece roofs on hotels, restaurants, condos and shopping malls, they all were personal. Oh yes let’s not forget REAL Magazine’s main man, Ed Bertha’s home too. Whether it be Spanish Capestrano style tile, state of the art steel roofing, conventional shingles or old fashion Key West style we do it all. We are a REAL roofer. There is no type of roofing that we don’t do. Our skilled installers are of the best caliber in each of their respective fields. Highly qualified factory trained and certified our team at Anmar Builders/Green Roofing Technologies keeps ahead of all of the rest by continually raising the bar. Cutting edge is our hobby! Our next venture, the Bayfront Towers in St. Pete is sure to be exciting. Having been selected by Crawford Ker, former Dallas Cowboys player, to roof the “Wing Houses” of Florida as well as many of the Louie Pappas’ Pappas Properties projects, Baywest Condos, Bell Shoals Baptist Campus, Bon Aire Motel, Wendy’s restaurants as well as many others, our commercial activity is strong. Our residential accomplishments include the first metal roof in the Placido Bayou gated community which was a stone coated metal Girard roof on attorney Bill Saron’s home (Author of Florida’s Personal Injury Law) and the first stone coated metal Girard roof in Ashley on Ed Bertha’s home. Such prestigious areas such as Pass a Grill, Tierra Verde, Weatherstone, Treasure Island, East Lake Woodlands, St Pete Beach, Vina Del Mar, West Chase, Ridgemoor and Innsbrook is where we have made our homes and left a permanent signature of our work. My father was a professional athlete and then did motivational speaking for success with Paul J. Meyer. One of Paul’s quotes has always been a principle in my life: “Whatever you vividly imagine, ardently desire, sincerely believe and enthusiastically act upon must inevitably come to pass.” Set a goal and act upon it with a passion. We do!

CGCA 18551

r s vr spv prre e qq u iu r ei dr e d Xena Vallone Realty:

A Boutique Agency With Substance By Lalaena Gonzalez-Figueroa | Photography by Chad Spencer as a successful agent with a nationallyrecognized franchise, Xena Vallone had the opportunity to build a strong understanding of the real estate business. Unfortunately, much of what she learned involved the politicking and agent hierarchy of importance that is frequently based on individual production levels. an entrepreneur with a knack for problem solving, Xena formulated a solution to what she viewed as a lack of opportunity for real estate professionals: she opened her own brokerage. Today Xena Vallone realty is making a name for itself as a boutique office that packs a powerful punch. a supportive and agent-centric environment breeds collegiality, positive energy and friendly competition. The result is a brokerage that breeds success for its agents as well as their clientele. Xena’s forward-thinking approach involves a comprehensive look at the industry including identifying trends and changes, understanding the ongoing need for technology integration, and following through on a desire to exceed client expectations for the real estate experience. It’s no small order, but Xena has detailed a plan for herself, her business and her agents that is designed to accomplish these goals while providing agents with ample opportunities to establish or build their own careers. “at Xena Vallone realty, our agents are truly focused on ensuring that our clients receive the best possible service throughout a given transaction and beyond,” reveals Xena. “accomplishing that involves a collaborative effort on everyone’s part. We realize that there is opportunity for everyone to enjoy success, so there is ample sharing of information and a tendency for agents to support each other within our office.” Communication is a critical element to success and Xena and her agents readily offer their colleagues vital information on industry trends and changes. an accredited Buyer representative (aBr) and Short Sales and Foreclosure resource (SFr), Xena shares her knowledge and training with agents to provide them with a more well-rounded understanding of a changing market. Within the office, she notes, other real estate professionals are doing the same. “From geographical specialties, to individuals who specialize in short sales, green real estate, international transactions and other market niches, our agents offer ongoing education to their colleagues in order to enable them to successfully adapt their businesses.” The office also offers a property management division which is

designed to meet the needs of Sarasota’s ample rental and seasonal property markets. Incorporating effective technology is an imperative element for the success of most real estate agents, and Xena has maintained her finger on the pulse of the latest trends and developments in order to maximize efficiency and facilitate smoother transactions. Tapping into her technological background, Xena is constantly evaluating new products and tools to determine how to best support her agents and their clientele. This approach extends beyond technology as well. “In general, I try to make things as easy as possible for my agents,” Xena reveals. Support includes signage, advertising and marketing, as well as an exciting new office situated in a high-visibility location. “We have nearly doubled our square footage,” says Xena of the new west-of-the-Trail office. Central to Downtown Sarasota and conveniently located near Siesta Key, the spot is indicative of Xena’s long-term plan for success. “We are poised to serve a diverse range of clients,” she explains. as a group, the agents at Xena Vallone realty enjoy an ideal combination of individual autonomy and business-related accountability. “Together we identify opportunities in advertising and marketing. We also take responsibility for developing our professional brand through active involvement in local boards and committees, charities and social organizations,” Xena says. “That’s a key benefit to working with a boutique agency. We provide a wealth of support and information, with an intimate working environment that is highly inclusive to all agents.” Though she launched her agency in what was arguably one of the most challenging markets in Sarasota’s history, Xena reports that the business is thriving. “We are currently in the top twenty percent of our market,” she states. “and we’re gaining speed through exceptional customer care, integrity, and knowledgeable service.” While she aims to maintain a boutique agency, Xena acknowledges that an expansion plan is on the table. “We see an opportunity to eventually open a second office in Manatee County,” she reveals. “as our agents build their businesses, we will adapt accordingly.” In a changing market, there’s no better constant than strong business principles, and Xena Vallone is laying a solid foundation for long-term success. Xena Vallone, Broker | Xena Vallone Realty 3562-A South Osprey Avenue | Sarasota, FL 34239 941.224.5950 cell | 941.706.1717 office xena@xenavallonerealty.com www.xenavallonerealty.com

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i n it esw s n h t he e nn ew Networking On The Water With Karen Greco And REAL Magazine Karen Greco of Michael Saunders & Company hosted a wonderful REAL Magazine event at her impressive Siesta Key waterfront listing at 725 Mangrove Point Road. Is the estate home in the Key West tradition or does its architecture pay homage to West Indies design? Each guest had their own viewpoint. Once the crowd settled in Guest Speaker: Angela Massaro-Fain of Grapevine Communications gave an informative overview Ed Bertha and Karen Greco of Microsoft TAGs which are rapidly gaining popularity in our area. The event was graciously sponsored by: Yesner & Boss, Williams, Parker, Harrison, Dietz & Getzen, Marquette Home Inspections, Stage 3 Interior Design, Pampered Moves, MSC Mortgage, Innovative Agent Services, C/M/S Photography and Szambelan Vodka. Vote No On Amendment 4

Soon Florida voters will be voting on Amendment 4. Amendment 4 is a proposed amendment of Florida’s constitution that would require taxpayer-funded referenda on all changes to local government comprehensive plans. In other words, this “Vote on Everything” amendment would force Floridians, not the representatives they elect, to decide hundreds of technical comprehensive plan changes each year. If passed, it will lead to Higher Taxes, Higher Unemployment and Government Gridlock. According to a study conducted by The Washington Economics Group, Amendment 4 will reduce Florida’s economic output by $34 billion annually and will likely cost Florida 267,247 jobs. Amendment 4 means higher property taxes and higher costs for all of Florida’s working families. Voters will vote not only on big development projects but also on all minor or technical changes to their local comprehensive plan. Consider that in the last four years alone this would have meant over 10,000 costly elections across the state of Florida. More elections require more tax dollars to pay for them. Given Florida’s current economic climate Amendment 4 is the last thing the state needs. Help support Florida’s economy and jobs by helping us fight Amendment 4. Grapevine Communications Reaches $1 Million In Donations To Charities. Grapevine Communications celebrated a milestone – reaching the $1 million dollar mark in donated services. Since 2002, Grapevine has given over $1 million in advertising, public relations and marketing services to fifty-six area non-profit organizations. Angela Massaro-Fain, Grapevine President, says “We consider ourselves fortunate to get to work with so many non-profit groups who have made such a considerable impact on our community. In these tough times, Grapevine feels it is more important than ever to continue supporting these vital organizations.”

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i n it esw s n h t he e nn ew A Powerful Combination of Skills & Talent

St. Armands Office Of Coldwell Banker Leads Effort Raising $6,000 For Charity. Coldwell Banker’s CARES Foundation recently presented a $6,000 check to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay. Sue Wolverton, Regional Senior Vice President, Southwest Florida, presented the Jeff Mann, Janice L. Davis, Valerie Wadsworth, check to Janice L. Davis, CFRE, Michelle Burke-Phillips and Sue Wolverton Executive Director and CEO. “We are very proud to contribute to the Ronald McDonald House Charities because we appreciate and respect what they do in our communities and support their mission,” said Wolverton.

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Jeff Mann and Valerie Wadsworth, associates at the St. Armands office, co-chaired fundraising events to raise money for the charity. Michelle BurkePhillips, managing broker of the St. Armands office stated, “The donation was possible due to the tremendous fundraising efforts of the St. Armands office sales professionals and I am very proud of them.” Melissa Coury Joins HomeBanc In Lakewood Ranch Tampa-based HomeBancorp named Melissa Coury as Mortgage Loan Officer for HomeBanc. She is based in HomeBanc’s office in Lakewood Ranch, located at 6230 University Parkway, Suite 101, in Sarasota. Coury brings to HomeBanc more than 10 years of mortgage banking experience. Her community and professional affiliations include membership on the Affiliates Committee for the Sarasota Board of Realtors, membership in the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce, St. Armands Circle Association and the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key. She can be reached at (941) 806.1145 or melissa.coury@homebanc.com. “Gail Shane & Friends” Celebrates One Year On The Air Gail Shane, Realtor Liaison for Neal Communities, has now hosted the radio show, “Gail Shane & Friends”, Community & Real Estate Talk, on WTMY 1280 AM for more than a year. The show is streamed live on the web, and archived shows are posted on the web site www.gailshane.com. The show includes a different Realtor® each week as well as a local business, local charity and relevant, timely news related to real estate and community. “This radio show is strong because it promotes the positive aspects of real estate and helps promote our local businesses and non-profits,” explains Shane. “Many of my guests tell me they’ve received calls after the show, and many non-profits get volunteers and donations after they’re on the show.” Shane says, “It’s all about helping each other and might as well have some fun along the way.”

Tracy Eisnaugle Realtor Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate St. Armand’s 423 St. Armand’s Circle Sarasota, Fl. 34236 direct 941.232.3358 fax 941.388.3231 www.FloridaMoves.com/ Tracy.Eisnaugle tracy.eisnaugle@florida.moves.com

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The Secrets of Ca’ d’Zan w In 1925 Sarasota was just a small fishing town, yet was home to one of the most opulent mansions in the nation. Ranked the 13th richest man in America the same year, John Ringling’s wealth was estimated at $200 million and Time Magazine featured him on the cover. A self made man, he passed on in 1936.

in a monastery in Buffalo, New York, it was Mable who insisted Baum travel to Philadelphia to visit the factory that would ultimately fire the terracotta for which the mansion is known. Her involvement was such that, while at the factory, she actually climbed into the kiln to see how the terracotta would be fired.

Having homes in Chicago and New York City, Ringling discovered Sarasota through business acquaintance Ralph Caples. Caples was involved with the New York Central Railway, owned by the Vanderbilts, that ferried the much anticipated circus from city to city. With a desire to participate in Florida’s land boom, John Ringling set off to make Sarasota a resort community; rivaling those on the east coast of Florida.

Mable was confident in her design and had no intention of copying an Italian Palazzo as others had done. Her vision was to create something unique that celebrated her love of flora and fauna. The exterior design, incorporating thousands of glazed tiles depicting flowers, fruit and animals, were designed by Mable. Inside Ca’ d’Zan the wall textures, fabric selections, and ceiling treatments were all guided by Mable. Ca’ d’Zan was an opportunity for Mable to express herself at a time when women still couldn’t vote.

Ca’ d’Zan represented a unique opportunity for the Ringlings to design and build their part-time winter retreat as both homes up north were purchased. What many do not know is the major role Mable played in the creation of Ca’ d’Zan. It was Mable who took John and architect Dwight James Baum to Venice, Italy to view Gothic architecture. Finding terracotta suiting her taste

Imagine being on the water during that period of time in Sarasota. Ca’ d’Zan had to be one of the most incredible homes to see; the gothic influences, the colors, the fantasy created by the tower. It still is today.

an with Ron McCarty Images: Giovanni Lunardi Story: Ed Bertha

1892 Steinway Grand Piano Body Done In Custom King Wood, Rose Wood and Satin Wood

1925 Aeolian Organ With One Of The Ringling’s 440 Music Rolls

Known for the lavish parties and ballroom dancing, the Ringlings’ social circle consisted of entertainers of many sorts. With the circus being the most important entertainment industry at the time, writers, playwrights, producers, and politicians, frequented Ca’ d’Zan. John wasn’t into politics per say, but the relationships gave him the power to do what he wanted. The Ringlings also enjoyed quieter times with a love for playing bridge. Many evenings they would start at brother Charles home, take the covered breezeway to daughter Hestor’s home, continue on to Ca’ d’Zan, and end up at the Caples’ home. Music also came into play as brother Charles had an Duo-Play Aeolian organ along with a second at Ca’ d’Zan, which was unheard of in such a small town. The Ringlings were very generous and shared with Sarasota. Developing and owning the keys, they would host community picnics on Lido Key. Not just intent on hosting the picnic, buses were provided for the community to make the trip out. It wasn’t uncommon for 2,000 people to picnic, more than the population of Sarasota at the time. There would be games for the children, and Mable would provide them food and treats, which at that time, Cracker Jacks were a big hit.

Ca’ d’Zan: “One Of The Most Important And Very Last Of The Gilded Age Mansions”

The Ringlings referred to the central living space of Ca’ d’Zan as “The Court.” The room was designed with a classical Northern Italian central court reminiscent of the open-air courtyards of the Renaissance. It features the crystal chandelier that was in the original Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York, as well as a 31-foot high pecky cypress ceiling. Many intimate and large-scale functions were held in this space. The court was initially created for musical entertainment.

On the tower terrace, if one gazes up, a frieze of beautiful glazed terracotta tiles representing the signs of the Zodiac ring the tower. Upon walking up to the front entryway of Ca’ d’Zan, if you look up at the tower, the first Zodiac sign you will see is Mable’s; Pisces.

Looking out from the tower, John could view his extensive holdings of several thousand acres of barrier islands. He invested millions of dollars in connecting the islands to the mainland and building sea walls to prepare the barrier islands for development. Without the sea walls, Sarasota’s infamous keys would have shifted and not be here as we see them today.

Ca’ d’Zan still reigns as the largest private residence on the west coast of Florida. Greatly inspired by drawings and photographs from the Ringlings many trips to Europe, construction at times frustrated architect Baum. Mable’s hands on approach to construction resulted in numerous changes to the design of Ca’ d’Zan, exasperating Baum when he traveled from New York for site visits. It wasn’t uncommon for John to resolve the disputes, ensuring Mable’s requests were carried out as she wanted them. The Ringlings were ahead of their time with the construction of Ca’ d’Zan in more ways than one. Ca’ d’Zan actually incorporated a “green” concept. At the time of construction, Granada, Spain, was expanding and many ancient buildings there were being demolished. The Ringlings purchased several thousand of the 17th century tiles and these recycled tiles made up the roof of Ca’ d’Zan.

A View of The Bolger Campiello and The Bolger Promenade from the stairs leading to the Belvedere Tower. Ringling Point is in the background.

After dinner the men headed upstairs. Entering the game room, off to the right is a panel hiding access to the vault. The vault door, actually a bank safe door, is so heavy that the ceiling below in Mable’s bedroom is reinforced to support the weight. Entering the vault, one readily notices the custom storage room created to house banned beverages. Remember the

1920’s were the time of Prohibition or The Noble Experiment as it became known. With beverage in hand, the men played poker, and when tiring of cards, shot pool. With very few and small windows, the game room was illuminated from within. With the absence of external light, it wasn’t uncommon for the men to emerge and find themselves in the morning of the next day.

Normally under lock and key in the gold gilded mahogany Parisian dresser, Curator Ron McCarty displays a selection of John Ringling’s Paris-sourced Charvet ties. As stylish today as they were in the twenties, five of the ties can be reproduced and ordered through Saks Fifth Avenue or Nordstrom’s. The taste for fine things continues to John Ringling’s office and to his New York Yacht Club suites, with accompanying hats and shoes, in the bedroom closet.

Born into a musical family, Ron began vacationing in Sarasota during the 70’s at relative’s homes. Schooled in painting at the Kansas City Art Institute and Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, he fell in love with the abundance of nature in the area and permanently relocated in 1980. Applying to the John and Mable Museum of Art, he began as a Registrar, and the rest is history. Outside of the continuing activities at Ca’ d’Zan, Ron finds time to partake in his hobbies. His love of painting is evident. At age 19, he exhibited alongside Thomas Hart Benton, one of the most important American painters of the 20th century. His painting of Corkscrew Swamp in the Everglades hung in

“Art is the center of my interest and

Florida Governor Graham’s office. In his run for higher office, Governor Graham promoted “Saving the Everglades” and gave copies of the painting to his major contributors. Ron prefers to paint in watercolors as he feels they are more realistic and challenging. Ron says “With watercolors you can’t make a mistake or you start over.” He has painted oils but admits they are not as fun to do.

In addition to painting, Ron is a collector. Art class exposed Ron to the 15th century medieval renaissance and illuminated manuscripts in which the text is supplemented by the addition of decorations. At age 14 he began to collect them to the consternation of his parents. To date, six museums personality” have displayed the collection Ron continues to add to. Also at a young age, Ron began collecting Biedermeier furniture due to its architectural traits. “I like the shapes, it’s simple with no ornamentation. Biedermeier is the beginning of modern furniture. The wood grain is the artistic part for me,” he quips. “After 29 years my life has been living the museum” Ron concludes, “And it’s been a good life.” Ron’s work has graced the George Pompidou Museum in Paris, The Jacksonville Art Museum, The Museum of Art in Fort Lauderdale, The Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg, FL, The Florida State Capital, and The Florida Governor’s Mansion (3 Governors). He also was represented by the Capricorn Gallery in Washington DC and the Sheri French Gallery on 57th Street in New York City. He was chosen to be the cover artist for “The 6th International Exhibition of Botanical Art and Illustration” exhibition catalogue held at Carnegie Mellon University’s Hunt Library. Quite a resume for a part time artist.

Aeolian Organ Restoration The elegance and beauty of Ringling’s historic Ca’d’Zan, could only be matched by the orchestral sounds of the Aeolian Duo-Art Pipe Organ installed in January of 1925. Mable Ringling presented numerous concerts and musicales regularly at the mansion that became legendary in the Sarasota community. The custom built organ was installed in the main room of the house, the Court having a three-manual console that included a Duo-Art mechanism that could play recorded music from paper rolls. The enormous two-story organ chamber houses two-thousand two hundred eighty nine organ pipes that are concealed behind two 17th century Flemish tapestries on the mezzanine level of the Court. The Aeolian Company was the finest builders of Pipe Organs for private residences in the United States with such patrons as Oliver H.P. Belmont, Frank Woolworth, William K. Vanderbilt, Joseph Pulitzer John D. Rockefeller and R.B. Mellon. The Ringling’s signing a contract for Opus Number 1559 on August 12, 1924 ordering the instrument having a three manual keyboard and pedals. The manual compass of 61 notes, pedal compass with 32 notes and Aeolian Solo (semiautomatic music rolls). The organ was installed January 1925 with a custom made console having gothic detailing to match the gothic flavor of the interior as

well as the building’s exterior. Having such a complete instrument is very rare with many Aeolian organs removed from the Gilded Age mansions and used as scrap metal during World War II leaving a small number in their original settings. As organs became less fashionable in the 1950’s to the 1970’s, they were removed from the old mansions and given to churches or even theaters. One recently came up on eBay that came from one of the Vanderbilt homes and could be purchased for $75,000.00. One of the major problems with buying an organ in this arena would be the fact that you have no idea of how the pipes were removed and if a great deal of damage occurred during the removal from the estate. Our instrument has been cared for like a gem with all pipes removed for the restoration into specially made crates to protect and prepare for the day of their restoration. We rotate the pipes once per year to guarantee that no reshaping has occurred with the long summer months in storage. Only 30 Aeolian organs were built in the State of Florida and if 5 remain I would be totally surprised. Ron McCarty

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per p esr p s pee c c tt i viev s es Will The New FHA Short Refinance Program Help Stem The Foreclosure Tide? By CJ Coury C. J. Coury is a Vice President with HomeBanc and oversees the Greater Sarasota market. He has been a mortgage finance professional since 1983. C. J. may be reached at (941) 730-2444 or by email at cj.coury@homebanc.com.

any of you have asked me what I expect the market impact to be of the newly released government program that calls for some principal reduction on the part of the lender. This is the FHA Short Refinance Program and here are the highlights of it:

Bank of America, have elected to participate in this write-down program. Without their involvement I can’t imagine that our local market will experience any meaningful relief from this particular program but, as with the several other government initiatives, some will definitely benefit - and that can’t be bad.

• Program dates are 9/7/2010 to 12/31/2012 • Borrower must owe more on their first mortgage than the property is worth • Program is for primary residence occupancy only • Mortgage being refinanced must be current • Borrower’s existing loan must not be an FHAinsured loan • Borrower must meet all FHA eligibility criteria • Program participation is voluntary and requires consent of lien holders • Lender must write off unpaid principal balance of the original first lien mortgage by at least 10% • The new FHA loan cannot exceed 97.75% of the value of the home

MARY L. PATTERSON, SRA State Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser RD2516

Appraising Residential Properties For: Estate and Divorce Settlement Lending Institutions Property Disputes | Guardianships Tax Disputes | Investors | Realtors

• Combined mortgage debt must be written down to no more than 115% of appraised value While this program certainly has merit it may be difficult for all of the above pieces to come together for the large number of homeowners (up to 1.5 million) that the government is hoping will benefit from this initiative. Many analysts don’t expect participation to exceed 200,000. As of the writing of this column none of the four major loan servicers; Wells Fargo, CitiMortgage, Chase or

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An exceptional neighborhood deserves exceptional service. When you call Bank of America, you can rest assured that our top priority is providing the information you need to make well-informed home financing decisions. We bring personal service to the neighborhood, including: • A wide variety of home financing options • A convenient and efficient home loan process As part of the Bank of America family, I will work closely with you to make sure your home financing experience is one that you’ll be glad to tell your friends and associates about. If you would like information about your home loan options, contact me today.

Budd Moore Home Loans Manager 941.952.2888 budd.moore@bankofamerica.com http://mortgage.bankofamerica.com/williambmoore

Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC Equal Housing Lender © 2010 Bank of America Corporation. Credit and collateral are subject to approval. Terms and conditions apply. This is not a commitment to lend. Programs, rates, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. 00-62-0115D 04-2009 AR72512

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per p esr p s pee c c tt i viev s es Going Global - International Buyers By The Numbers By Patricia Tan

Patricia Tan was born in England, and moved to Sarasota in 1997. Her career afforded her the opportunity to live and work in many countries around the world, including Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Germany, France, Belgium, Netherlands and the United Kingdom. She spent five years as a Director of an American real estate franchise in England in 1990s. Patricia has served as Chairperson of Sarasota Association of REALTORS®’ International Council, and serves on Florida Association of REALTORS®’ International Operations Committee. She currently works as International Sales Director for Prudential Palms Realty. Patricia may be reached at 941-504-9232 or pat@patriciatan. com.

Regular readers will be familiar with my fascination with numbers and statistics. As a real estate professional working to bring overseas investors, immigrants, retirees and part time residents to Florida I am always interested in statistics about international buyers in our market. I had occasion recently to revisit a report published by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) earlier this year, and thought I would share some of their findings here.

than the national average of 18%. Just over half of all foreign buyers (51%) bought single family homes, significantly less than the national average of 78%. It is not surprising that more foreign owners prefer the maintenance free aspects of condo and town home ownership. The report also showed that 30% of all foreign buyers purchased in a resort area, compared to 1% nationally. Again, this is not surprising when one considers Florida’s life style options.

The Profile of International Home Buyers in Florida is the result of research carried out by the NAR on behalf of Florida Realtors®, and it makes interesting reading.

What might be surprising is that a full 81% of overseas buyers in Florida buy their homes with cash, compared to a national average of only 19%. In many respects this makes them a dream buyer for the Florida home seller – no nail-biting moments wondering if a buyer will be successful in obtaining a mortgage in today’s tight financial markets.

We are all, sometimes painfully, aware of the downturn in the Florida real estate market over the last five years. But have we turned the corner, and what role are international buyers playing in the recovery of our market? The report from NAR makes interesting reading. Most Florida REALTORS® (79%) reported that their business with international buyers had either stayed the same or increased in the last 12 months. This is a good sign, overall, but most REALTORS® noted changes in the profile of the overseas buyer. We saw more Canadian buyers for instance, fewer Latin American buyers and the level of European buyers stayed about the same. It is no surprise that Canada’s reputation for fiscal responsibility and their commodity-based economy has allowed its citizens to continue to buy winter homes in Florida.

What is more surprising is that European buyers have been somewhat immune to the very serious economic situation in Western Europe. What kind of homes are these foreign buyers purchasing? Realtors® reported that 11% of overseas buyers bought new homes, slightly less

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Florida, as we all know, is a big state! Where are these international buyers headed for? Well, I’m pleased to say the west coast of Florida seems to rank very highly with overseas buyers in general, and many of them are coming to our own desirable stretch of the Gulf Coast. We rank third overall, and we are the number one choice for Canadian buyers. What do all these statistics mean to us? Well, for sure the Gulf Coast of Florida is “alive and kicking” as far as foreign buyers are concerned, and the Bradenton-Sarasota-Venice area rates highly with buyers from Canada and Western Europe in particular. When we review the 2011 numbers, I believe we will see an increase in foreign investment in our area, and long may it last! Statistics courtesy of the National Association of REALTORS®.

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Join us for a special twilight celebration of the holidays benefitting the Ca’ d’Zan preservation fund and the Aeolian DuoArt Pipe Organ. Enjoy holiday cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, music, and an open house while supporting this fabulous historic home. Tickets $75. For reservation/donation information call

THE JOHN AND MABLE RINGLING MUSEUM OF ART THE STATE ART MUSEUM OF FLORIDA THE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY Open 10 AM –5 PM daily, Thursdays until 8 PM 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota • 941.359.5700 • www.ringling.org

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i n v iintva i tt a tii o o nno no l yn ly The American Cancer Society: Building a Foundation for People to Unite By Kacey C. Krznaric

What does the American Cancer Society mean to you? “It means encouragement and support. It means strength and hopestrength for your voice to be heard and hope that others will hear it.” -Sean McDonald, cancer survivor and ACS volunteer

“It means ‘enrichment’ in every sense of the word. It creates a platform for people to connect from all different walks of life.” -Linda Sloan, cancer survivor and ACS volunteer

“It means family. Family is supposed to love, encourage, and support one another. That’s what we do here at the American Cancer Society and that’s what we are.” -Cynthia Dunlap, Area Executive Director, American Cancer Society

side from originally being from different parts of the United States, these three individuals share a very common bond: each has been personally affected by the devastating effects of cancer- whether through their own diagnosis or that of a close family member- and have become shining examples of strength, courage, and compassion throughout the community. The American Cancer Society has been joined by some amazing people over the years; among those are Sean McDonald, Linda Sloan, and Cynthia Dunlap. Through their willingness to share their journeys with us- from their trials to their triumphs- we had the opportunity to get to know each of them on a more personal level, and we are better for that. Our passage into the lives of these remarkable people begins with Sean McDonald. Originally from St. Louis, MO, Sean has been living in Sarasota for the past 6 years. He is a 2nd grade teacher, a true humanitarian, and a breast cancer survivor. Having two separate diagnoses of breast cancer and another for testicular cancer between the years 2000 and 2008, the first at age 19, Sean has been through some very trying times in his young life. He shares with us his most difficult time and the steps he had to take to be the healthy and spirited young man he is today. With his cancer in remission, Sean is a proud example of what it really means to be a survivor. “Telling someone you have cancer

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is one thing. It is an even harder struggle telling them what kind,” Sean recounts, “and when it’s your whole life, it’s hard not to talk about it.” With the undying support from his family and a lot of soul-searching within himself, Sean decided to seek counseling to help him cope with the plaguing question of “why him” and “why breast cancer” as well as the constant worrying of the cancer coming back. In addition to this, Sean has received immeasurable support since he got involved with the American Cancer Society and the Relay For Life 2 years ago; which he now sits as the Survivor Chair of the event and was the Key Speaker at the 2010 relay this past spring. Sean recognizes all of the warmth he received from the organization but says that staff member, Martha Gilmartin was instrumental in showing him the unique position he was in and how he could use it to spread awareness, particularly among men. Sean has had, and will continue to have, a tremendous impact on the American Cancer Society and everyone it reaches. Sean has grown in leaps and bounds over the past several years and is currently looking for a publisher for a book he’s written about a man’s fight with breast cancer. His journey is testament to unshakable strength, inspiring courage, and a sincere and genuine heart. Next, we have the opportunity to look into the life of another breast cancer survivor but with a very different story. Through her journey, we get to

see not only the strength of a woman, but of a wife, a mother, and real estate professional. Linda Sloan has made her mark on both the local community and the real estate business. Her website, www.sellingforacure. com, was created to combine her personal passion for cancer advocacy with her professional passion in real estate with a portion of the proceeds donated to cancer research. In fact, if you visit Linda’s website, you can get information on her Making Strides Against Breast Cancer team that was created through her company, Prudential Palms Realty. They placed 5th in Sarasota last year, raising $10,000 through sponsorship and fundraising. Linda was diagnosed with breast cancer while living in Chicago in 1992 as a young wife with 2 small boys. With a strong family support system and an oncologist (and family friend) that saw a fighter in her that would ultimately lead to her survival, Linda was able to uncover a strength in herself that only a mother could find. With an aggressive treatment plan and an unstaggering will to be there when her children went off to college, Linda battled through her disease and has been in remission for 18 years. As a breast cancer survivor, Linda has molded herself into a true role model for cancer patients and their families. She dedicated her life to her family and raising her children and now that they have successfully left for college, Linda has “redirected her energies,” she says, “and this is my priority now.” She holds the position of Mission Education Chair of the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event, coordinating events and key speaking roles throughout the area and during the event on October 23rd. Linda recalls her time going though cancer treatment as a very difficult part of her life. There were limited resources available to her and a lack of awareness in society regarding relationships and social issues. She had to rely heavily on her family and herself to make it through these tough times. Now, there are programs available for people that weren’t in existence when she was diagnosed. Because of that, she is very involved with a program called “Look Good, Feel Better,” a program that teaches beauty techniques to cancer patients to help them combat the appearancerelated side effects of cancer treatment. It is geared toward helping women look beautiful and feel empowered through the use of cosmetic application classes (all make up is donated), sessions on how to wear a head scarf, and classes to help women choose and style a wig. Linda pays it forward by getting the word out about programs like these to help women from every age, background, and stage of treatment maintain high self-esteem and remain unified through a process that can be daunting and lonely. The last stop on our journey is with Cynthia Dunlap, Area Executive Director. This is where we get some insight into the interworking of the American Cancer Society: the driving force behind its existence, the resources they provide, and get to know a little bit about the people that inspire the staff, leaving their mark on the organization indefinitely. Cynthia and her husband Scott moved to Sarasota from Boston more than thirteen years ago. She was the General Manager of a popular Faneuil Hall Marketplace restaurant – Serendipity. Originally from New Brunswick, Canada, she is the youngest of nine children. She found herself at the American Cancer Society by a very serendipitous series of events. Shortly after moving to Sarasota, Cynthia lost her father to cancer- he was diagnosed on a Monday and lost his battle that Friday. During this traumatic time for Cynthia, losing her father so suddenly, she received a call from the American Cancer Society asking her to come in for an interview. It was her “serendipitous moment” and she seized it- providing her with more than a new career for herself, but an opportunity to honor her father. Starting with coordinating and staffing events, Cynthia later transitioned into the role of Director for Relay For Life for the entire state of Florida, which is currently the largest nonprofit event in the world, held in more

than 5,000 communities across the country and in nineteen countries outside the Unites States. “Relay For Life is truly the driving force behind our organization,” says Cynthia, “not only because it raises money but it creates an awareness on patient services, our advocacy efforts and educates on early detection and prevention within the community and throughout the world.” From there, she has moved into her current role in which she oversees a five county territory and mentors new employees and volunteers as they take over the coordination and staffing of American Cancer Society activities. Cynthia has impacted the American Cancer Society through not only the professional work she does as the Area Director but she creates and facilitates meaningful relationships between staff, sponsors, volunteers, and those affected by the disease. Her efforts are realized when she sees other people reach out to each other and form their own friendships, support systems, and unified communities. “That,” says Cynthia “is rewarding enough in itself.” Each year Cynthia looks forward to two very special and significant award nomination processes that take place annually: the Courage Award, given to those who had a personal experience with cancer and demonstrated great courage, determination, and a positive attitude through their trials, and the Hope Award, which given to an individual who has portrayed exemplary characteristics that have enhanced the quality of life for patients and their families through any contribution involving education or patient care. Cynthia is very proud to say that the local nominees have also been the recipients of these awards at the state level and recognized at the Annual Meeting in 2008, 2009, and 2010. During her 13 year stretch with the American Cancer Society, one of her most defining moments revealed itself in a relationship that developed between herself and an ACS Board Member who was a three time lung cancer survivor named Phyllis Cobb. Sadly, Phyllis passed away a year and half ago but not before she left a very significant mark on Cynthia’s life. Phyllis was a beautiful, strong and dedicated advocate of the American Cancer Society and was nominated for the Courage Award, winning the title in 2008 just 4 months before she passed on. Seeing her proudly accept her award and be recognized for her unmatched courage moved Cynthia beyond words. The amount of respect she had for Phyllis was immeasurable; enough to keep her memory alive and thriving to this day. When Phyllis was leaving the hospital to travel to her daughter’s house where she could pass surrounded by her loved ones, the two women shared a moment. “She looked at me and said, ‘I am proud of you’ and those simple words strengthened my commitment and made me realize I was doing what I was meant to do,” Cynthia recounts. “My commitment remains even more so now after dealing with my husband’s cancer diagnosis this past year.” Cancer can strike anyone, at any time. It doesn’t discriminate based on age, gender, or race. It is a disease that takes a mental, emotional, and physical blow on everyone it touches which speaks volumes about the three amazing people that have allowed us into their lives and shared their personal stories of strength, courage, and a powerful will to live. Their selfless acts of volunteerism and their drive to spread awareness across the globe is truly a testament to their inspiring character and unfathomable resilience. They are changing the world one step at a time, one person at a time, one life at a time. They are leaders, leading us for the Cause.

American Cancer Society – Sarasota Unit 2801 Fruitville Road, Suite 250 | Sarasota, FL 34237 800.227.2345 | www.cancer.org

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Embellished Surfaces

Continued from page 12

trim and wainscot, giving a richer environment. It doesn’t shout at all, and from across the room is not noticeable, yet as you walk down the hall and your hand and eye touch the casing or chair rail, you have a little “aha” that says someone took some special care and attention here. It is very lovely. For yet another project, we are having a venetian plaster applied to a vaulted ceiling in a large vestibule between the great room and the foyer. It has a detailed moulding at the perimeter of the curving ceiling surface where it meets the walls, but the ceiling itself will have a lovely sheen almost like a rich damask. The color is tone-on-tone so it too adds detail without clamour.

this was painted a graceful branching of forsythia with delicate leaves and clusters of voluptuous blossoms cascading. This room may have been small, but it was bursting with character and charm. For a bar area at one of the larger homes we have designed, we had artisans stencil rugged dark beams with a low contrast design. The pattern was a series of scrolls and leaves of a dark fern green and muted ochre that blended well with the grain of the wood, but did not jump to the eye.

At The Cloister at Sea Island, we designed cast plaster shapes on the ceiling of the library. Then we painted, glazed and stenciled the shapes to give the look of Renaissance plaster. The embellished surface then gained the luster and glow that comes with age.

Another way we used venetian plaster was on the walls of the entrance foyer at The Concession. When entering The Concession, one passes through heavy mahogany double doors into a foyer with a double vaulted ceiling. The feeling of spaciousness and grace is as if one has entered a lovely Tuscan villa. The subtle beige of the venetian plaster walls adds to this image of rich elegance.

Something totally glamorous that we have done is applying an ethereal mural to a single wall in a small room whether it be a bath, powder room or dressing area. On one project, the artist painted a wall with a gradual shading, starting with a soft yellow at the ceiling and descending to a more pronounced gold at the base. On

As you can see, the variety and palette is essentially infinite. It’s part of what makes our work so much fun and interesting- we like using the broad spectrum of fabrics, materials and the talent of artisans to customize the homes of our clients. The embellished surfaces truly blend art with design, and we are all richer for it.

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per p esr p s pee c c tt i viev s es What Your Eyes See, Holds The Key To More Consistent Putting By Jonathan Yarwood

Jonathan Yarwood is based at The Concession Golf Club. He was voted a top 20 teacher under 40 by Golf Digest magazine. He has coached many champions over the year including a US Open Champion, 2 US Amateur Champions, 2 US Girls Champs, 4 US number one juniors to name a few. He enjoys helping all players, from beginners to touring professionals.

All golfers have a dominant eye and in putting, it affects how you see the putting line. Some people are left eye dominant and others right eye dominant. This difference affects ball position and putting set up. A golfer must know whether they are left or right eye dominant to be a consistent putter. To determine your dominant eye, do the following. Stand in front of a mirror. Make a circle with your thumb and index finger. Do this on both hands. Put those circles on top of each other and look through the circles at yourself in the mirror like a telescope. The eye that you used to look at yourself is your dominant eye! For those who are right eye dominant, you will see the ball and putter better if you move the golf ball back in your stance. Also, open up your stance a little, which will help you see the line of the putt better. For a left eye dominant putter, you will feel more comfortable with the ball more forward in your stance as well as more under your forward eye. Your stance must be more square to your target line. Try to make these changes in your putting game.

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If you continue to struggle after making the above changes, try a different putter design. For instance, putting with a long or belly putter can change your eye position and the way you will see the line. For some players, this produces immediate results. For others, just changing the shape of the putter head can also have a positive effect on what a golfer sees, and they become better putters. What your eyes see holds the key to more consistent putting!

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