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SRQ DAILY Dec 1, 2014

Monday Business Edition

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Monday Business Edition

"All the units have privacy but there is also the opportunity to meet others and know your neighbors."

- Michael Halflants, Halflants and Pichette
 

[Retail]  Cyber Monday Projections

Some 126.9 million shoppers in the United States will shop online today for Cyber Monday, according to a survey released by the National Retail Federation. A bulk of those, according to the survey, will take advantage of deals early in the day, with the biggest pluralities of consumers planning to shop in the early or late morning. 

[Architecture]  Halflants Pichette Projects Innovate in Use of Space
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

Sarasota-based architecture firm Halflants and Pichette Studio for Modern Architecture picked up a pair of honors from the American Institute of Architects last month at the Tampa Bay Chapter award ceremony. The firm saw residential work praised both in the multi-family and single-family home categories, demonstrating prowess both in the affordable and luxury home arenas. Both projects were located in the Sarasota area.

AIA noted the design of the Vanguard Lofts, a six-unit project being developed by Tetra Terra Development, and for a residence on Philippi Creek on Antilles Creek. "We stay very much involved in the chapter," said Halflants and Pichette Firm Principal Michael Halflants, a tenured professor at the University of South Florida.

The Vanguard Lofts, located within the Sarasota Design District, represent some of the denser residential projects happening within the city of Sarasota. Halflants notes the Rosemary District is one of the key areas where this type of growth can happen in Sarasota. The project, between Central and Lemon avenues, includes three 2,500-square-foot townhouses over three 1,500-square-foot garden units off 4th Street. Halflants said the project worked to create shared community spaces while staying cognizant to the individual units. The units also incorporate rooftop terraces to better utilize the natural environment. Construction by Crowley Services is slated to start in 2015.

"All the units have privacy but there is also the opportunity to meet others and know your neighbors," he said.

The Philippi Creek home makes use of a triangular lot while providing a private pool in a waterfront home. A challenge of waterfront pools, Halflants said, is providing privacy when other homes are also located just across the creek. Basically, the privacy of a backyard is lost to the waterside. But in this home, the pool is nestled in a courtyard created between the living and sleeping wings of the house, so it can be used without neighbors having an open view.  Meanwhile, denizens inside the home can still overlook the creek and enjoy that water amenity.

The building was also designed so the occupants can flow in and out of the home for daily activity, such as crossing under a wide veranda to access the main office or guest bedroom.

The Tampa Bay Chapter for AIA covers an area stretching across seven counties from Pinellas to Polk.  

[Philanthropy]  Christopher Card, Lutheran Services Florida
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

Dealing with guardianship over aging citizens in Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties keeps workers at Lutheran Services Florida busy year-round, and especially during the holiday season when resources for the year are strained and physical and emotional needs run especially high. We spoke with Christopher Card, chief operating officer for Lutheran Services Florida, about a drive going on through Dec. 10 for donations of cash, goods and time.

What is the primary service provided by Lutheran Services of Florida in Sarasota?  This program in the Sarasota program serves close to 200 individuals deemed by the courts as indigient, and they don't have a ready and available family member to assist them. The courts call upon Lutheran Services Florida to provide legal guarduanship, resources, living arrangements. We work with individuals to keep them active in the community is a safe and healthy environment. We have a contract with the state, but that only funds part of what we do. We serve many more clients than the state funds, so much of this is done through donations.

Why is the holiday season when you guys are engaged in this fundraising drive?  This time of year is hard for these folks. Our duty is to be able to help them with health services, and eventually in many cases take over management of their affairs. We have a lot of clients where once we are guardians, we are the guardians for the rest of their life.

Donations of gift cards, food, grooming supplies and cash can be made at 1748 Independence Blvd., Suite E4, Sarasota. 

[Exec Moves]  Norton New Staff Accountant At CS&L

Christopher Norton, a resident of Ruskin, joined CS&L as a staff accountant. Norton graduated from the University of South Florida in May, where he was a member of the USF Baseball Team. Norton is currently completing his fifth year program and plans to sit for the CPA exam next year. 

CSL CPAs

[Exec Moves]  Brandon Appointed To County Sports Commision

Christopher G. Brandon has been appointed by the Visit Sarasota County Board of Directors to the Sarasota County Sports Commission, effective November 2014.  As a division of Visit Sarasota County, the Sarasota County Sports Commission’s primary mission is to generate economic impact to Sarasota County through sports tourism. Brandon focuses his practice in the areas of taxation, estate planning and estate administration.  He is an active member of the Sports Lawyers Association and has many years of experience working with individuals and businesses in the sports industry. 

Sarasota County Sports Commision

[Staff]  Leonard, Etzel and Vergin Join Robrady

J.Colin Leonard, Mike Etzel and Mathew Vergin joined the Robrady Design team. With 15 years of experience working at the Crane Company in divisions ranging from aerospace engineered materials, controls, fluid handling and merchandising systems, Leonard has been named the director of manufacturing operations. Joining Leonard, Mike Etzel is a mechanical designer who has been a veteran in the engineering field since 1999. Designer Matthew Vergin is a graduate of the College for Creative Studies in Detroit and has been working as a freelance designer for more than five years. Robrady Design is a multi-disciplined product design and development studio that offers its global client base progressive industrial design, mechanical design and product engineering, market insights, brand and retail development, complete rapid prototyping and production program management. 

Robrady

SRQ Media Group

SRQ DAILY is produced by SRQ | The Magazine. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and in the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. Senior Editor Jacob Ogles edits the Saturday Perspective Edition, Letters and Guest Contributor columns.In the CocoTele department, SRQ DAILY is providing excerpts from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. The views expressed by individuals are their own and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Ashley Ryan Cannon at 941-365-7702 x211 or via email

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